Ninth Circuit Reviews Arizona Election Laws

During a recent hearing, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that it cannot intervene in two contested Arizona election laws for the upcoming election cycle. One law requires proof of citizenship for state voter registrants, while another restricts federal-only voters from voting in presidential elections. The court acknowledged that only the proof of citizenship requirement will be applicable this November, as the Supreme Court's stay did not permit other provisions to take effect. Advocates for voting rights argue that these laws discriminate against certain racial groups and complicate the voting process, which election officials have stated is functioning well without such measures. Meanwhile, concerns about the Supreme Court's potential impact on future policies are growing, particularly regarding a recent ruling that undermines the Chevron doctrine, which could hinder the Biden administration's policy-making capabilities. Additionally, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld a decision blocking a law aimed at limiting ballot access for candidates not participating in the primary, further illustrating the contentious nature of election laws across the U.S.