Officials in Arizona are investigating longstanding errors in the state’s voter registration system that allowed noncitizens to vote in state and local elections. The problem was linked to inaccurate classifications in the state’s motor vehicle database, which incorrectly flagged some residents as eligible voters.
The issue affects residents who registered to vote using driver’s licenses issued before 1996. Arizona law requires proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, for participation in local and state races. However, a system error miscategorized certain voters, enabling them to cast ballots for decades without meeting legal requirements.
The oversight was first identified in 2017 under the administrations of Gov. Doug Ducey (R-AZ) and Secretary of State Michele Reagan. Internal communications from that time show state employees acknowledging the problem but failing to implement meaningful fixes.
Current Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has criticized his predecessors for not addressing the issue. “This is not just a voter registration problem,” Fontes said. “It impacts every state benefit reliant on Motor Vehicle Division data.”
The state’s dual-registration system, implemented after a 2013 Supreme Court ruling, requires residents who provide proof of citizenship to receive full ballots. Those who do not are only permitted to vote in federal elections. Despite these safeguards, thousands of noncitizens were mistakenly issued full ballots due to errors in the voter database.
Fontes’ office estimates that approximately 218,000 individuals were affected. Efforts are now underway to develop an online platform where voters can correct their records ahead of municipal elections scheduled for early 2025.
