The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Arizona GOP have initiated lawsuits to challenge an Arizona law that permits military personnel and other temporary foreign voters to cast ballots without presenting direct proof of citizenship.
Michael Whatley from the RNC stated, “The Arizona election should be decided by Arizonans, not by individuals who have never spent a day in this country.” He accused Democrats of being complacent in allowing votes from people who lack legal residency.
Whatley emphasized that the RNC is standing up for the rights of voters in Arizona to contest this law, which he described as unconstitutional.
The controversial Arizona law, which was enacted in 2023, allows U.S. citizens living abroad—like those who are registered to vote in Arizona but reside outside the state—to participate in elections through a federal voting system established by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986.
This 1986 legislation pertains mainly to federal elections, although some states choose to apply its provisions to state and local elections as well. Arizona’s law permits county registrars to accept a federal form instead of requiring a state affidavit.
The office of Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes did not provide an immediate response regarding the lawsuit from the GOP.
Last August, the Supreme Court examined Arizona’s election law, siding with the RNC and GOP arguments that state voter registration forms should mandate evidence of citizenship. However, the court also confirmed some provisions that allow overseas voters to cast their ballots by mail without needing to verify their citizenship with the state, provided they meet federal registration standards.
Arizona has become a focal point for Republican election law initiatives, especially after President Trump’s loss to former President Biden in the 2020 election. Trump had garnered significant support from Arizona voters four years prior and again received majority backing in the state last fall.
In recent years, some Republicans have faced various claims regarding election misconduct and conspiracy allegations connected to challenges against Arizona’s election results.
