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Judge to hear challenges on 2 new AZ election laws

A judge will hear arguments Thursday on challenges that claim two new laws could interfere with the rights of some people to register and vote.

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said those new laws do not advance any legitimate regulatory interest in secure elections. 

Hobbs told a U.S. District Court judge that there are definite harms that could occur if the laws take effect this Saturday.

One requires proof of citizenship for anyone registering to vote. Though it targets those using federal forms as they don’t require citizenship proof to register. However, rules for those forms are set by the federal government, not the states. 

The other law allows county recorders to cancel someone's registration after obtaining information and confirming that a person isn’t a citizen, and their name could be sent to prosecutors. 

Attorney General Mark Brnovich disagreed with Hobbs, saying the laws help verify the eligibility of would-be voters. 

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.