Does Arizona have federal-only ballots for residents who ‘can’t prove’ citizenship at the time of registration?
By Carmela Guaglianone
View this fact brief on Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
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YES
As the only state that requires residents to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote, Arizona must offer federal-only ballots to residents who cannot do so.
Federal law explicitly bars states from requiring documentation of citizenship in order to vote in federal elections. All prospective voters must attest under threat of perjury that they are U.S. citizens when registering.
Instances of non-citizen voting are exceptionally rare. Of the roughly 35,000 federal-only voters registered in Arizona, the majority are students, Native Americans or service members who could not provide the required documents while registering, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Arizona Secretary of State Motion To Stay Threatens To Disenfranchise Voters
Arizona Secretary of State Proof of Citizenship Requirements
Citizens Clean Elections Commission Federal Only Voters
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