Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester has joined nine other secretaries of state in submitting a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, supporting states' authority to require proof of citizenship for voter registration.
The amicus brief was filed in connection with *Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota,* a case challenging Arizona’s voter registration requirements. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case on June 29. According to Jester's office, the brief argues that the National Voter Registration Act does not prohibit states from implementing measures to verify applicants’ eligibility to vote.
“I fully believe requiring proof of American citizenship to register to vote is just common sense,” Jester said in a statement. “Right now, bad federal case law is stopping that basic safeguard from happening. This case is our best chance in a generation to fix it.”
The amicus brief process allows individuals or entities not directly involved in a case to provide information or arguments for the court to consider. Alongside Jester, other secretaries of state also filing the brief represent a mix of states that have enacted or expressed support for similar policies.
The case before the court centers on Arizona’s requirement that voter registration applicants provide evidence of citizenship. Opponents have argued the policy creates unnecessary barriers to voting, while supporters contend such measures are essential for election security and ensuring only eligible individuals vote.
The outcome of the case could set a critical precedent for state-level election laws across the country, with implications for how much autonomy states have in crafting voter registration requirements. The court is expected to weigh the issue later this term.