Supreme Court rules Ariz. citizenship proof law illegal

In a 7-2 ruling issued on Monday, the Supreme Court ruled states can’t demand proof of citizenship from people registering to vote in federal elections.

The justices’ 7-2 ruling closes the door on states independently changing the requirements for those using the voter-registration form produced under the federal “motor voter” registration law. They would need permission from a federally created panel, the Election Assistance Commission, or a federal court ruling overturning the commission’s decision, to make tougher requirements stick.

Justice Antonin Scalia, who wrote the court’s majority opinion, said federal law “precludes Arizona from requiring a federal form applicant to submit information beyond that required by the form itself.”

The Supreme Court’s ruling is no doubt a setback for Republicans who’ve made it their mission to make it as difficult as possible for voters to actually cast their votes.

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