Arizona Voter Suppression Prop 200 Suspended

Voter-ID rules suspended for Nov. election: "Arizonans won't have to prove citizenship to register to vote or show identification at the polls in November, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the controversial new voting requirements passed in 2004 as part of Proposition 200.

Opponents argued the provisions were unconstitutional, amounting to a poll tax that could keep legal voters from casting ballots. "

UPDATE (10-07-2006)

Voter Registration during Prop 200 Injunction

Although the Prop 200 ID requirements for Voter Registration, and Polling Place Voting were enjoined by the 9th Circuit Court of appeals, there doubtless will be counter-injunctions and appeals, ending up in the US Supreme Court some time in the future.

Although technically, voter registration could proceed without proof of citizenship until a court orders otherwise, it's possible that the Prop 200 requirement will be reinstated later, and registrations made without proof might be subject to challenge. Although a voter registered without ID while Prop 200 was enjoined might prevail in court, we're recommending that voter registration proceed WITH proof of citizenship - as if Prop 200 were still in effect - thereby avoiding future hassle. Since we don't know what the final result will be, and since voter registration for Nov. 7 ends on Monday, Oct. 9 anyway, why not?

Also, until a court orders otherwise, ID will not be required at the polls. Since there's a chance that a court will do so, we also recommend that voters be advised to be prepared to show ID, just in case.

We ask all campaigns - coordinated, candidate, and ballot initiative - to pass this info along to voters.