The Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee has passed a bill that requires voters to provide satisfactory evidence of U.S. citizenship to cast a ballot. It also requires proof of residency within the state.
The measure also makes it a felony for election workers to process incomplete voter applications, or knowingly register non-citizens.
Republican Sen. Warren Petersen is the committee’s chairman.
“We want everyone to vote, but we want citizens to vote, and it’s our job to make sure that that happens.”
Opponents worry the new requirements laid out by the bill will give the legislature the power to purge voters. After passing the House, the measure now needs to be approved by the full Senate.
