Exclusive: Arizona Republicans look at an additional fight over state laws requiring evidence of citizenship to vote in federal elections, and hopes the Trump administration will express support for the law following a defeat in court of appeals this week.
The Ninth Circuit supported the District Court’s findings of a 2022 Arizona law that allowed public officials to request evidence of citizenship to vote in state and federal elections, saying it was an “illegal measure of voter suppression.”
The lawsuit was brought by DOJ, nonprofit organizations, DNC and Arizona Democrats. The Supreme Court in August allowed enforcement of restrictions that prevent people from voting in state and local elections, but those who registered without evidence could vote in presidential and congressional elections in different federal forms.
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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondy will speak at a press conference on immigration enforcement at the Department of Justice held in Washington on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Cartis) (AP)
Senate President Warren Petersen told Fox News Digital that he believes the latest ruling is “brave” because he found that the Supreme Court said it hadn’t found.
“So, to see them completely ignored, the Supreme Court is pretty unprecedented, and even for courts that are pretty much overturned by domestic liberals,” he said.
Petersen made it clear that Republicans defending the law intend to appeal.
“The key provision in this bill is that we want to make sure we are voting in elections,” he said. “This is an issue that our citizens overwhelmingly support.”
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“I Vote” stickers are ready to be handed out on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024 in Appleton, Wisconsin, as citizens go through the voting process at Scheig Center & Gardens. (Dan Powers/USA Today Network-Wisconsin)
Petersen and his counterparts at the Capitol write to the DOJ asking the Trump administration to notify the court that they have changed their position on evidence of citizenship. The Biden administration was opposed, but the Trump administration had a better advantage to ensure that evidence of citizenship was provided for the vote.
“So we’re looking for them as they change their position and proceed to our appeal that they’re engaged, so we can get good results for the citizens of Arizona and, frankly, for the nation,” he said.
“I think it makes a huge difference when the federal government is on the same page as us,” he said.
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It is not yet clear whether the appeal is in the 9th Circuit or if it will go directly to the Supreme Court. Petersen said Republicans wanted to attract the attention of the Supreme Court. [the 9th Circuit] However, he also said they were ongoing lawsuits.
He said he is very confident about his chances for GOP if it goes to the High Court.
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“This court looks very wise and reasonable, and these are common sense. It’s common sense that only citizens should be able to vote in our elections,” he said.
Adam Shaw is a political reporter for Fox News Digital, covering mainly immigration and border security.
He can be contacted at adam.shaw2@fox.com or on Twitter.
