PHOENIX—At the request of the Arizona Secretary of State, Rep. Greg Stanton today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to assist state election officials with confirming voters’ citizenship status.
A coding error brought to light this week could prevent nearly 100,000 longtime Arizona residents from voting in down-ballot elections. These registered voters may not have provided the proof of citizenship required under a 2005 state law, and were miscategorized on the voter rolls by the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division.
“It is a fundamental right for all Americans to participate fully in the electoral process. After 20 years, to now prevent these Arizonans from voting in state and local elections—through no fault of their own—would be a severe injustice,” Stanton wrote. “Assistance from DHS on this matter will allow the Arizona Secretary of State to prioritize contacting and confirming the citizenship of other impacted voters who may hold less accessible documented proofs of citizenship.”