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The Biden Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the State of Arizona on Tuesday seeking to block a state law that requires voters to show identification proving their U.S. citizenship to participate in some federal elections.
Known as House Bill (H.B.) 2492, the law requires federal voters in Arizona, those who are only eligible to cast a ballot in elections for federal office, to provide documentary proof of citizenship or else be ineligible to vote in a presidential or mail-in election.
The Department of Justice argues that the Arizona legislation represents a “textbook violation” of the National Voter Registration Act by requiring voters to prove that they are U.S. citizens.
“Arizona has passed a law that turns the clock back on progress by imposing unlawful and unnecessary requirements that would block eligible voters from the registration rolls for certain federal elections,” Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for civil rights, said in a statement.
At a press conference cited by Reuters, Clarke said the lawsuit reflects the Justice Department’s “deep commitment” to “to protect all Americans’ right to vote and to ensure that their voices are heard in our democracy.”
The law was signed by Republican Governor Doug Ducey on March 30 and would go into effect in January 2022.
“Election integrity means counting every lawful vote and prohibiting any attempt to illegally cast a vote,” Ducey said in a public letter in reference to the legislation, adding that it is “a balanced approach that honors Arizona’s history of making voting accessible without sacrificing security in our elections.”
Tomás Lugo, journalist and writer. Born in Venezuela and graduated in Social Communication. Has written for international media outlets. Currently living in Colombia // Tomás Lugo, periodista y articulista. Nacido en Venezuela y graduado en Comunicación Social. Ha escrito para medios internacionales. Actualmente reside en Colombia.