A closer look at citizenship and voter registration in Arizona
And: Posts mislead on Wisconsin voter IDs
The Civic Listening Corps was formed in January 2022 to give communities across the country the tools and training needed to identify and fight the misinformation we see online every day. Our goal is to use the knowledge we gather together to prevent further attempts to undermine our civic discourse.
By subscribing to our reports, sharing this post, or directing your friends and family to civiclistening.org, YOU can make a difference against the spread of online misinformation.
What’s so unique about Arizona’s voter registration laws when it comes to citizenship?
Recently, posts about Arizona’s voting requirements have misconstrued how the state handles voter registration and citizenship. Posts have suggested that Arizona allows noncitizens to vote in federal elections. However, noncitizen voting in federal elections is illegal: “federal law states that it is unlawful for a noncitizen to vote in federal elections and establishes the punishment of a fine, one year in prison, or both for violation of the law.” Additionally, Arizona’s constitution states “No person shall be entitled to vote... unless such person be a citizen of the United States…” The state is unique in the U.S. for its laws requiring documentary proof of citizenship to vote in state and local elections. Voters who cannot provide that proof can only vote in federal elections. This has led to some incorrectly concluding that Arizona allows noncitizen voting in federal elections.
Young people, particularly those living near college campuses in Arizona, face a significant challenge in voting due to the state's voting laws. These laws divide voters into two categories: those with documented proof of citizenship and those without. Those without such documentation are placed on a "federal-only" list, limiting their voting rights to federal elections only. Despite claims by Republican lawmakers that this strategy prevents illegal voting by noncitizens, an analysis found that federal-only voters are mainly found in areas where people have difficulty accessing citizenship documents, such as college campuses and a Phoenix homeless shelter. People aged 18 to 24 are three times more likely to be federal-only voters than older individuals. This has raised concerns among student voting advocates, who argue that these laws deter students from voting in local and state elections.
The U.S. District Court in Arizona invalidated a state law requiring voters to list their birthplace when registering, stating it violated a federal law preventing the rejection of voter materials for minor errors. The court also previously ruled against Arizona's requirement for documentary proof of citizenship in federal elections. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the importance of preventing restrictive citizenship requirements and affirmed the Justice Department's commitment to enforcing federal voting laws.
How does Wisconsin verify citizenship for voter IDs?
In other news, posts mischaracterizing Wisconsin’s promise that “U.S. citizens can easily get a free ID for voting, even if not all documentation is available!” have surfaced, causing confusion and mistrust regarding the state’s approach to election integrity.
To obtain a voter ID in Wisconsin, individuals can visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to apply. The DMV directs people to bring specific documents if available, including proof of name and date of birth, proof of identity, evidence of Wisconsin residency, proof of U.S. citizenship, and Social Security number. However, if individuals don't have all the required documents, they can still obtain a voter ID if they're a U.S. citizen and will be at least 18 by the next election. A person can bring the documents they have available, fill out two additional forms, and receive a photo ID document in the mail before voting begins. The applicant’s citizenship status is affirmed through the Department of Homeland Security. This process is authorized under Wis. Stat. 343.165(8), ensuring that only U.S. citizens can participate in the voting process.