Supreme Court to review Arizona voter law that tribes oppose

Tuesday, October 16, 2012  

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday accepted a petition in Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, a voting law case.

The Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona and the Hopi Tribe, along with other plaintiffs, challenged Proposition 200, which was approved by voters in 2004. The law requires proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote.

Tribes are worried about members who were born in the U.S. but lack documentation. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the provision in April, ruling that it conflicts with federal law, which already asks about citizenship.

The 9th Circuit upheld a different provision that requires people to show identification at the polls. This aspect is not at issue in the Supreme Court appeal.

Get the Story:
Supreme Court will consider reinstating Arizona voter registration law (AP 10/15)
Justices to Review Voter Law in Arizona (The New York Times 10/16)

9th Circuit Decision:
Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona v. Arizona (April 17, 2012)
Appendices

Tribes in Arizona get mixed decision in voting law case (4/18)