In a 5-4 decision on Thursday, the Supreme Court handed a partial victory to Republicans seeking to force proof of citizenship to vote in Arizona.
The court was asked to allow enforcement of a provision of Arizona state law that requires people to show proof of citizenship to vote in the presidential election, including by mail.
On August 15, the Arizona Republican Party announced that it had filed an emergency petition “in support of HB 2492, a bill that would require proof of citizenship to vote in presidential elections,” pending appeal from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
24 state attorneys general file emergency stay with Supreme Court to uphold Arizona citizenship requirement to vote
The Supreme Court on Thursday handed a partial victory to Republicans seeking to force proof of citizenship to vote in Arizona. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
A federal judge blocked the law from going into effect, so the company appealed to the high court for temporary relief.
“The Constitution gives states the power to set voting qualifications, and Arizona is leading the way in ensuring only citizens can vote in elections,” the Arizona Republican Party tweeted. “This lawsuit has the potential to permanently block non-citizens from voting, as it should have been all along.”
The emergency injunction filed by the Republican National Committee argues that voter integrity is being left “in question,” especially with the large number of “illegal immigrants” in the country.
When the case came to court, Justices Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch would have granted the petition in its entirety, while Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, Barrett and Jackson would have denied it in its entirety.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kavanaugh offered something of a compromise by casting the deciding vote.
A 2022 state bill requiring proof of citizenship is currently stalled, but it was challenged by civil rights groups and the Arizona Democratic Party.
A 2013 Supreme Court decision limited the extent to which states can impose such restrictions on federal voting.
