Arizona Supreme Court grants full ballot access to nearly 100,000 voters due to clerical error

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that nearly 98,000 Arizonans whose voter registration status was in limbo due to a clerical error from 2004 will be able to participate in the full ballot in November. This error allowed these individuals to be registered to vote without providing documented proof of citizenship. Arizona’s Democratic secretary of state, Adrian Fontes, hailed the decision as a victory for those whose right to vote was at stake. The Maricopa County Recorder’s office discovered the error earlier this month, stemming from a law requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer emphasized that disenfranchising voters en masse was not authorized by state law and would violate due process. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer filed a lawsuit to resolve the issue, leading to the court’s favorable decision. Arizona GOP Chair Gina Swoboda also supported the ruling, noting that nearly 98,000 voters were at risk of being disenfranchised. Despite previous criticism of voting processes, Swoboda aligned with a bipartisan coalition of election officials in supporting the court’s decision. Early voting in Arizona begins on Oct. 9, giving these affected voters the opportunity to participate in both federal and local elections. The court’s prompt and just resolution was applauded by officials from both parties, highlighting the importance of protecting the voting rights of all citizens.

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