Supreme Court Rejects Republican Push to Block Arizona Voters

In a significant decision, the Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a Republican push that could have disenfranchised over 41,000 Arizona voters in the upcoming presidential election. The state, won by Democrat Joe Biden in 2020, faced a legal challenge from Republicans seeking to enforce voting restrictions enacted in 2022. The court’s 5-4 order allowed limited enforcement of regulations requiring proof of citizenship during voter registration.

The emergency appeal filed by state and national Republicans came in response to measures enacted after Biden’s narrow victory over Donald Trump. While the court did not provide detailed reasoning for its decision, Justice Amy Coney Barrett stood with the liberal wing in partially rejecting the push, signaling a split among the justices.

The legal battle will continue in lower courts, with national and state Republicans pushing for restrictions on voter registration that could affect tens of thousands of voters. The measures, passed on party-line votes, require proof of citizenship for voter registration in state and local elections, but not for federal elections.

Opponents of the restrictions, including voting rights groups and the Biden administration, have raised concerns about potential chaos and confusion so close to the November election. Critics argue that the measures could disproportionately impact military service members, students, and Native Americans, affecting voter turnout and democratic participation.

Despite claims of preventing fraud, there is no evidence that federal-only voters have engaged in illegal voting. The divisive laws, passed in response to Biden’s victory in 2020, have faced strong opposition but also gained support from Republican lawmakers seeking to secure election integrity.

The Supreme Court’s decision underscores the ongoing debate over voting rights and election integrity, setting the stage for further legal challenges and political maneuvering as the country gears up for crucial elections.

*This article contains reporting from Phoenix by Jacques Billeaud and contributions from Mark Sherman in Washington.