Arizona is under fire for a decades-long problem that allowed thousands of noncitizens to vote in local and state elections. The issue, rooted in inaccuracies within the state’s motor vehicle database, has raised serious concerns about election integrity.
The problem involves residents who registered using pre-1996 driver’s licenses, which were not initially tied to proof of citizenship. Arizona law requires such documentation for participation in state and local races, but system errors allowed some to slip through.
Officials first flagged the issue in 2017, during the administrations of Gov. Doug Ducey (R-AZ) and Secretary of State Michele Reagan. However, no significant steps were taken to address it. Current Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has criticized the inaction, stating, “This affects more than voter registration. It touches every state benefit reliant on MVD data.”
Arizona’s dual-registration system was created to comply with a 2013 Supreme Court ruling. It ensures only residents with proof of citizenship receive full ballots. Despite this safeguard, thousands of noncitizens were mistakenly issued ballots for local and state races.
Fontes’ review estimates that 218,000 individuals were affected by these errors. His office is developing an online system to allow voters to update their records before municipal elections in 2025.
State officials are also investigating how inaccuracies in MVD data have impacted other state programs, such as educational and healthcare benefits.
