AZ AG Mayes defends proof-of-citizenship voter registration rule at U.S. Supreme Court

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court defending Arizona’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for voters who register using the state’s own voter registration form.

The filing responds to a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which had read the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) to limit Arizona’s ability to require proof of citizenship in this situation. Arizona argues that the Ninth Circuit misunderstood how the NVRA works.

In the brief, Arizona says the state—not the federal government—sets the rules for who is eligible to vote in Arizona, and that election officials need proof of citizenship to check whether an applicant meets Arizona’s voter qualifications. The state also points to Arizona’s 2022 law, House Bill 2492, as part of the background for its approach.

The Supreme Court filing is part of the case Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota. The state’s position is that requiring proof of citizenship helps protect election integrity by aiming to ensure only eligible citizens vote.

This is a legal dispute about election administration and federal-state authority, and the outcome could affect how voter registration rules are applied in Arizona. For the most accurate details, readers may want to review the AG’s posted brief and the official press release.