I don't know if anyone has diaried about this, but I couldn't help but noticing this piece about a U.S. Supreme Court decision that was easily overshadowed by the actions on President Obama's Affordable Healthcare Act and Arizona's "Papers Please" law.
Here's what pr watch reported:
In a little-noticed ruling amidst clamor over the healthcare decision, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rejected an Arizona law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, holding it was preempted by the National Voting Registration Act (NVRA). The law was adopted as a "model" bill by the American Legislative Exchange Council [ALEC] in 2008.
It may not have received the notice "papers please" and the Affordable Healthcare Act ruling got, but the significance of this ruling cannot be overrstated.
More.
The prwatch piece continues:
Arizona Proposition 200 became law in 2004 and required election officials to reject voter registration forms that did not include documentation proving citizenship. Critics said that there was no evidence that illegal immigrants attempted to vote in state or federal elections and the real intent of the law was to shut down community voter registration drives.
I realize this diary is brief, but I hope this ruling is just the beginning of the end of the GOP's un-American efforts to keep those who oppose them from voting. I hope this sparks similar actions that assures that ALL eligible Americans are allowed to vote.
2:33 PM PT: UPDATE: Here's another passage from the prwatch piece:
On June 28, the Supreme Court dealt the ALEC agenda another blow by declining to stay a ruling by the Ninth Circuit holding that Arizona's Proposition 200 (the ALEC Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act) was preempted by the NVRA. The NVRA, also known as the "Motor Voter Act," was designed to make voter registration more simple and unified. Arizona’s refusal to accept federal voter registration forms without proof of citizenship, the Ninth Circuit held, imposed additional restrictions beyond what was called for under the federal law.
Two weeks ago, Arizona asked Justice Kennedy to stay the decision,which he did temporarily, but on June 28 the full Court vacated that temporary order (with Justice Alito dissenting). This means the Ninth Circuit decision stands, and citizens will be able to register in Arizona without having to provide additional documentation proving their citizenship.
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