The RNC and the Arizona Legislature have filed a motion to stay a federal district court decision striking down Arizona’s documentary proof of citizenship requirements while the Ninth Circuit hears our appeal. If this motion is successful, Arizona can enforce its law requiring documentary proof of citizenship to vote in this November’s presidential election or cast a ballot by mail in any election.

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley stated: “Our elections, and the future of our country, should be decided by Americans. Non-citizen voting compromises our elections and we are committed to stopping it. This filing is another critical legal step in our fight to secure the 2024 election.”

Arizona GOP Chair Gina Swoboda stated: “Our election outcomes must reflect the voices of American voters. Any vote cast by a non-citizen dilutes those votes and risks silencing those voices. This is a very real problem in Arizona and we are committed to resolving it. The AZGOP and the RNC are engaging at every level to ensure our elections properly reflect the will of Arizona voters.”

Background:

• In 2022, Arizona passed two major election integrity laws: HB 2492 and HB 2243. Among the provisions was a requirement that counties conduct regular citizenship verification checks and remove non-citizens from the voter rolls. The RNC successfully defended these list maintenance provisions in federal district court.
• However, the court ruled against provisions requiring documentary proof of citizenship to vote in presidential elections or vote by mail in any election.
• The RNC and the Arizona Legislature filed an appeal to fight this decision, as well as a motion to stay the court’s order, pending our appeal.
• The motion to stay in the Ninth Circuit is a continuation of our efforts to ensure these important safeguards are in place for the November 2024 election.
• The RNC is committed to ensuring American elections are decided by Americans.
• More background can be found here.

Read the filing HERE.