On Monday, the United States Supreme Court “heard arguments about whether states have the power under the federal law to add restrictions to voter registration,” particularly a state’s requirement to submit documentary proof-of-citizenship with a federal registration form.
While SCOTUS deliberated over Arizona’s voter registration law, other states continued to push copycat bills. In the last seven days, legislators in states like Nevada (SB 367) and South Carolina (SB 227) went forward with similar bills.
Advocates warn that laws like Arizona’s could unlawfully disenfranchise otherwise eligible, would-be voters.
Justices were reportedly divided on Arizona’s law: “Many people don’t have the documents that Arizona requires,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor said Monday.
“The result of Arizona’s documentary proof of citizenship requirement has been a significant drop in voter registration in the state of Arizona,” said Project Vote executive Michael Slater in a statement this week. “During the two and a half years when the law has been in effect, more than 30,000 U.S. citizens attempted to register to vote, only to have their registration applications rejected.”