Excellent write-up as always. I cut my teeth as an election lawyer representing the plaintiffs in the original challenge to this law filed in 2006, and here I am almost 20 years later still dealing with its fallout.
Because I am a stickler, a few notes for accuracy.
MVD actually began requiring proof of authorized presence in the U.S. on August 1, 1996. (No one knows why the statute used October). It wasn’t until 2000 that MVD began differentiating between citizens and non-citizens lawfully present in its records.
AZ driver’s licenses are good until your 65th birthday. There are no “renewals” until then. But people regularly order replacements when they update their address, photo, or lose the license. Changing the issue date on the face of the license makes sense for MVD so that they know you’re using the most recent version.
While I’m braced for all sorts of fuckery, it seems unlikely that even the most dedicated voter suppressors out there will have much success in picking off individuals among the 98,000 one by one. The applicable law requires a 35-day notice and cure period. Early ballots go out in the mail to ~80% of AZ voters in 16 days. So even if one could find sufficient evidence to question citizenship to trigger that provision, those voters will have already received (and perhaps voted) their full ballots.
I'd kinda like to be able to still be using the d/l issued to 16 year old me with long brown hair back in the early 70's than the one I have now with silver grey hair...
Wow, I can hardly believe that this all went down as described and the ruling was in favor of ballot access! Did I suddenly wake up in a normal state!?!?!?
Your state appears to be having a healthy and normal reaction to watching the Republican party get coopted by lunatics by running away from those weirdos as fast as possible. -A
What the hell are you talking about? If a person is illegal in this Country, they try to be as invisible as possible. Shut up. They do not present false documents, to register. They try to live under the radar. Illegal aliens absolutely do not stand in line to vote for anyone. They work on Tuesday. Get real.
Could you tell us about the legal implications of the Coastguard hearing about the Titan submersible? Witnesses are under oath, and I think the purpose is to find out how the regulations should change, but what effect will it have on any lawsuits? The evidence has been fascinating.
I’m bracing for the day when a Republican Party membership card by itself constitutes all the necessary proof of citizenship required to vote. And drive. And buy alcohol. And will probably grant blanket permission to get your mistress(es) abortions—whether she wants one or not.
Next step - the Republican Party membership card will be the ONLY allowable ID to vote, or run for office.
Wait, AZ won't issue a driver's license to non-citizens? Did I read that right? Forget people without permission to be in the US, what about foreign students, green card holders, etc? That seems insane?
AZ issues driver’s licenses to non-citizens, but those licenses cannot be used as the required documentary proof of citizenship (“DPOC”) to register to vote. The MVD (because we can’t call it the DMV like everyone else) began requiring proof of authorized presence in the U.S. in August (not October) 1996. In 2000, they started issuing a different class of license (F-type) to non-citizens. People with F-type licenses who have since naturalized must use their naturalization docs as DPOC.
Excellent write-up as always. I cut my teeth as an election lawyer representing the plaintiffs in the original challenge to this law filed in 2006, and here I am almost 20 years later still dealing with its fallout.
Because I am a stickler, a few notes for accuracy.
MVD actually began requiring proof of authorized presence in the U.S. on August 1, 1996. (No one knows why the statute used October). It wasn’t until 2000 that MVD began differentiating between citizens and non-citizens lawfully present in its records.
AZ driver’s licenses are good until your 65th birthday. There are no “renewals” until then. But people regularly order replacements when they update their address, photo, or lose the license. Changing the issue date on the face of the license makes sense for MVD so that they know you’re using the most recent version.
While I’m braced for all sorts of fuckery, it seems unlikely that even the most dedicated voter suppressors out there will have much success in picking off individuals among the 98,000 one by one. The applicable law requires a 35-day notice and cure period. Early ballots go out in the mail to ~80% of AZ voters in 16 days. So even if one could find sufficient evidence to question citizenship to trigger that provision, those voters will have already received (and perhaps voted) their full ballots.
Oh, what a fascinating background. Thanks for sharing your insights. -A
I'd kinda like to be able to still be using the d/l issued to 16 year old me with long brown hair back in the early 70's than the one I have now with silver grey hair...
Thank you for such an excellent synopsis written in your delightfully wry tone.
To be fair, hair metal has ALWAYS been cool…. 😂😂😂
rock on
Wow, I can hardly believe that this all went down as described and the ruling was in favor of ballot access! Did I suddenly wake up in a normal state!?!?!?
Your state appears to be having a healthy and normal reaction to watching the Republican party get coopted by lunatics by running away from those weirdos as fast as possible. -A
Well done Andrew. If I understand correctly the glitch included licenses reissued because of address changes.
What the hell are you talking about? If a person is illegal in this Country, they try to be as invisible as possible. Shut up. They do not present false documents, to register. They try to live under the radar. Illegal aliens absolutely do not stand in line to vote for anyone. They work on Tuesday. Get real.
Could you tell us about the legal implications of the Coastguard hearing about the Titan submersible? Witnesses are under oath, and I think the purpose is to find out how the regulations should change, but what effect will it have on any lawsuits? The evidence has been fascinating.
Every accusation from them is a CONFESSION! All the voter suppression and cheating is ACTIVELY being done by the RIGHT.
I’m bracing for the day when a Republican Party membership card by itself constitutes all the necessary proof of citizenship required to vote. And drive. And buy alcohol. And will probably grant blanket permission to get your mistress(es) abortions—whether she wants one or not.
Next step - the Republican Party membership card will be the ONLY allowable ID to vote, or run for office.
Thanks for this detailed report on the complex way Arizona election officials could disenfranchise 98,000 voters.
Wait, AZ won't issue a driver's license to non-citizens? Did I read that right? Forget people without permission to be in the US, what about foreign students, green card holders, etc? That seems insane?
AZ issues driver’s licenses to non-citizens, but those licenses cannot be used as the required documentary proof of citizenship (“DPOC”) to register to vote. The MVD (because we can’t call it the DMV like everyone else) began requiring proof of authorized presence in the U.S. in August (not October) 1996. In 2000, they started issuing a different class of license (F-type) to non-citizens. People with F-type licenses who have since naturalized must use their naturalization docs as DPOC.
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