Georgia AG backs Supreme Court bid to reinstate Arizona voter citizenship requirements

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has joined a 25-state coalition urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate parts of an Arizona election law that requires proof of citizenship for full voter registration, a move supporters call a common-sense safeguard and critics in Georgia describe as political posturing that could make voting harder.

Carr signed onto a Kansas-led amicus brief supporting Arizona’s 2022 election law after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked key provisions. The dispute is now before the Supreme Court in several related petitions.

“The right to vote is fundamental,” Carr said. “Everybody’s got to know that it’s safe, it’s secure, it’s accessible and transparent.”

Carr pointed to Georgia’s own voter-roll review as justification.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office has said a citizenship audit found 20 noncitizens on Georgia’s voter rolls and that nine had cast ballots in previous elections — most of them before Georgia strengthened citizenship verification through the Department of Driver Services in 2012.

The state referred the cases to local prosecutors for investigation, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

“As a voter, I want to know that my vote counts,” Carr said.

Voting-rights advocates argue the legal push targets a problem that is already rare while risking new barriers for eligible voters.

Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs said the focus should remain on access and ensuring qualified voters can cast ballots.

“Voter integrity means having access to the ballot, not limiting the people who can vote, Griggs said.

Democratic state Rep. Tanya Miller, who is running for attorney general, accused Carr of “playing politics” and catering to election deniers rather than focusing on issues Georgians face day-to-day.

“He knows that our elections are secure, but he is essentially doing a soft shoe to the election deniers,” Miller said.

Carr pushed back, saying Georgia already requires proof of citizenship during registration and that strengthening standards protects voters’ confidence in the outcome. He also said that during his 10 years as attorney general, his office has not received a criminal referral related to noncitizen voting, though he said he would pursue cases if they are referred.

“Knowing that your vote is secure, accessible, and transparent is priceless,” Carr said.

The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will take up the Arizona cases. If it does and the court sides with Arizona and the states supporting the law, the ruling could broaden what states can require at voter registration nationwide.

For now, election rules for Georgia voters remain the same, but the court fight could shape the next election cycle.