The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals just dealt a blow to Arizona’s voter laws. They ruled against provisions requiring documentary proof of citizenship for presidential elections. The three-judge panel didn’t mince words, calling these measures “unlawful voter suppression.” Like a Pavement song that seemed straightforward until you really listened to the lyrics, this ruling has layers beneath its surface.
Arizona Republican leaders aren’t taking this lying down. State Senate President Warren Peterson is already eyeing the Supreme Court while asking the Justice Department to back off.
The 9th Circuit also criticized the district court for claiming one of the laws wasn’t meant to discriminate. They remanded that decision for a second look, which is basically judicial speak for “try again.”
Both laws – HB 2492 and HB 2243 – came from former Governor Doug Ducey’s desk in 2022. The official line was preventing noncitizen voting – a problem about as common as a two-dollar bill. HB 2492 demanded citizenship proof for presidential elections even from people using the federal registration form that doesn’t require it. HB 2243 told county officials to cancel registrations if there was any hint someone might not be a citizen.
The Biden administration, DNC, and voting rights groups sued immediately. A district court blocked the laws during the 2022 midterms. The Supreme Court partially stepped in, allowing some requirements for new voters while the case continued.
The fight isn’t over – but for now, the 9th Circuit is keeping these measures blocked.