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Bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote heads to Gov. Ducey's desk

Republican state lawmakers have pushed to approve a measure that would require election officials to verify the citizenship of those registering to vote. 

Even though the bill passed both the House and Senate on a party-line vote, staff attorneys in both houses warned the measure is illegal and would court a new lawsuit. 

In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Arizona when it attempted to pass a law that stopped voters from casting ballots for the president, if they didn’t have proof of citizenship.

The new legislation’s wording says anyone trying to vote in any race must provide identifying documents.

While licenses after 1996 could qualify, 192,000 individuals who got licenses before that year would have to use other methods, as a driver’s license before 1996 does not mean the holder is a citizen. 

The measure now heads to Gov. Doug Ducey’s desk.

Greg Hahne started as a news intern at KJZZ in 2020 and returned as a field correspondent in 2021. He learned his love for radio by joining Arizona State University's Blaze Radio, where he worked on the production team.