The Arizona Supreme Court recently ruled that almost 98,000 voters in limbo due to a clerical error from 2004 will be able to participate in the full ballot in November. The error allowed these voters to register without providing proof of citizenship as required by law. The court’s decision was hailed as a victory for voting rights by Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer filed the lawsuit that led to this resolution, working together with Fontes to address the issue. The court’s ruling was also praised by Arizona GOP Chair Gina Swoboda, who emphasized the importance of protecting the voices of these voters. Both Swoboda and Fontes argued that these voters should be allowed to cast their votes at both federal and local levels, in contrast to the recorder’s office’s initial position. The decision ensures that these voters will not be disenfranchised in the upcoming election, with early voting set to begin on October 9. This bipartisan cooperation to protect voting rights highlights the significance of providing the franchise to all voters, regardless of political affiliations.
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Clerical error grants full ballot access to nearly 100,000 Arizona voters, rules Supreme Court
