The Republican National Committee (RNC) has requested the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate an Arizona law mandating proof of U.S. citizenship for voters in the upcoming presidential election.
The RNC filed for emergency relief on August 8, seeking Justice Elena Kagan to overturn a lower court ruling that had suspended the law.
The Arizona laws in question, H.B. 2492 and H.B. 2243, were enacted in 2022 and require voters using a state form to provide acceptable proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. The laws also mandate citizenship checks by counties and the removal of non-citizens from voter rolls. A district judge had partially blocked the law in 2023, citing federal precedence on voter proof of citizenship, but the Ninth Circuit later stayed the injunction.
In its filing, the RNC argued that the Ninth Circuit’s reversal disregards the Purcell principle, which prevents federal courts from halting state election laws close to an election. The RNC contends that the district court’s injunction undermines Arizona’s authority to determine voter qualifications and that the stay would not harm plaintiffs or the public interest.
The RNC hopes that the Supreme Court’s ruling will be handed down by August 22. The Arizona law supporters claim it is essential to prevent voter fraud.
The RNC’s request follows a recent ruling on Monday that declared parts of Arizona’s Election Procedure Manual unconstitutional, a victory for conservative groups who argue the manual limits free speech on election integrity.
