Voter Identification and Citizenship Voting Requirements Amendment
Elections & Campaign Finance
Summarized
What Would This Do?
Proposition 144 would amend the Arizona Constitution to make several changes to election policy: (1) state that only citizens may register and vote in Arizona elections; (2) require voters to show government-issued identification to cast a ballot, including when voting by mail; (3) require election officials to let all voters tabulate their ballot at their voting location on election day; (4) prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to or spending to influence Arizona elections, and prohibit anyone from knowingly accepting such contributions; (5) lower the legal standard courts use to review election laws, making it harder to challenge election laws in state court; and (6) require the legislature to appropriate the money necessary to implement these provisions.
Supporters say it strengthens confidence in elections; opponents say the mail-ballot ID requirement in particular could be difficult to administer and could burden some voters.
A “Yes” Vote
A "yes" vote supports amending the Arizona Constitution to require voter ID for every ballot (including by mail), ban foreign-national election contributions, give voters the option to have their ballot tabulated at their voting location, and lower the legal standard for challenging election laws in court.
A “No” Vote
A "no" vote opposes amending the constitution to change these election laws, maintaining current practice.
Official Language
Full Legal Text
Ballot Title & Summary (as filed with the Secretary of State)
Ballot Title
PROPOSITION 144 — PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION BY THE LEGISLATURE RELATING TO ELECTION REQUIREMENTS. OFFICIAL TITLE: AMENDING ARTICLE VII, CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA, BY ADDING SECTION 19. DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: REQUIRES ALL VOTERS, INCLUDING VOTERS WHO VOTE BY MAIL, TO SHOW GOVERNMENT-ISSUED ID TO VOTE IN EACH ELECTION; MAKES OTHER CHANGES TO ELECTION ADMINISTRATION AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE PROHIBITIONS.
Ballot Summary
A "yes" vote shall have the effect of amending the Arizona Constitution to: (1) require voters to show proof of identity when voting in each election, including when voting by mail; (2) change existing proof-of-identity requirements to limit acceptable documentation to government-issued ID; (3) require election officials to provide all voters the option to have their ballot tabulated at their voting location on election day; (4) prohibit foreign nationals from contributing or spending to influence Arizona elections and prohibit anyone from knowingly accepting such contributions, similar to existing federal law; (5) lower the legal standard for judicial review of election laws, making it harder to challenge election laws in state court; and (6) require the legislature to appropriate money necessary to implement these provisions. A "no" vote shall have the effect of maintaining current constitutional provisions governing elections.
Support
Officials
State Sen. Shawnna Bolick (R) · State Sen. David Farnsworth (R) · State Sen. Jake Hoffman (R) · State Rep. Joseph Chaplik (R) · State Rep. Ralph Heap (R) · State Rep. Laurin Hendrix (R) · State Rep. Rachel Keshel (R) · State Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R) · State Rep. Justin Olson (R) · State Rep. Beverly Pingerelli (R)
Candidates
Candidate for State House District 10 James Rogers (R)
Organizations
Arizona Freedom Caucus · Arizona Free Enterprise Club · Arizona Women of Action · Heritage Action for America
“For years, Arizonans have watched the same election problems repeat while trust in the system has eroded. The Arizona Secure Elections Act puts the rules where they belong: in the Constitution. Citizens vote. Voters show ID. Foreign money stays out.”
“Our motive is not to make it more difficult to vote, but to make our elections more secure so that all of us can have confidence that those who vote their votes will be counted properly, and that those who win the most votes will be elected.”
“This measure strengthens confidence in our elections by amending the Arizona Constitution to require proof of citizenship to vote, ban foreign contributions, mandate government-issued ID for all voting methods, [and] give voters the option to have ballots tabulated at their voting location.”
Opposition
Officials
State Sen. Denise Epstein (D) · State Sen. Analise Ortiz (D) · State Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D) · State Rep. Oscar De Los Santos (D)
Former Officials
Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson · State Sen. Raquel Terán (D)
Organizations
ACLU of Arizona · All Voting is Local · Arizona Independent Voter's Network · Arizona Public Health Association · Civic Engagement Beyond Voting · Common Cause · Healthcare Rising Arizona · Indivisible Tucson · LD3 Democrats Northeastern Maricopa County · League of Women Voters of Arizona · Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona · Our Voice Our Vote · Rural Arizona Action · Will of the People
“The real goal of this is to make it harder for eligible voters to vote. Our democracy is being systemically dismantled across the country.”
“[The amendment] would force everyone who votes by mail to resubmit a copy of their ID or passport every time they vote in an election, defeating the purpose of Arizona's convenient, accessible, and safe ballot-by-mail system.”
“This really exposes them to severe identity theft and privacy breaches, because this resolution would demand that their sensitive information be handed over when they're voting.”
“Arizona's existing mail-voting system is widely used and familiar to voters. Adding new paperwork and identification requirements would create avoidable barriers, especially for older adults, people with disabilities, rural residents and people with limited transportation options.”
Verify