Lawsuit Claims Arizona Counties Failing To Remove Noncitizens From Voter Rolls
A lawsuit filed in Arizona alleges that the state’s 15 counties are not fulfilling their legal duty to remove foreign nationals from the voter rolls. The case, brought by the Strong Communities Foundation of Arizona and resident Yvonne Cahill, argues that election officials have failed to ensure that noncitizens are removed from voting lists as required by law.
America First Legal (AFL), alongside former Arizona Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Wright, is representing the plaintiffs in this case. According to the lawsuit, the counties are neglecting their responsibility to perform essential voter list maintenance. “This lawsuit seeks to restore public trust in our State’s electoral system by holding the Defendants accountable for their failures,” the filing states.
The legal challenge began earlier this year with a complaint against Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer. According to AFL, Richer had ignored his obligation to verify the citizenship of voters. Richer’s office, however, has stated that they are committed to maintaining accurate voter rolls and following the law.
The new version of the lawsuit now targets all of Arizona’s counties. The dispute centers around individuals registering to vote in federal elections without providing proof of citizenship, known as “Federal-Only Voters.” Despite state laws requiring documentary proof of citizenship for state elections, a 2013 Supreme Court ruling allows these voters to participate in federal races.
The plaintiffs argue that counties are not making reasonable efforts to ensure that noncitizens are removed from the voter lists. They are seeking a court ruling to enforce these voter list maintenance laws to protect the integrity of Arizona’s elections.
