Arizona’s Voter Database Error Raises Alarm Over Noncitizens Casting Ballots
Arizona officials are facing criticism after uncovering a system error that allowed thousands of noncitizens to vote in local and state elections. The issue, which dates back decades, stems from errors in the state’s motor vehicle database that incorrectly classified some residents as eligible voters.
The error primarily affected individuals who registered using pre-1996 driver’s licenses, which were not initially linked to proof of citizenship. State law requires voters to provide documents like a passport or birth certificate to participate in local and state races. However, the misclassification went unnoticed until shortly before the 2024 election.
The issue came to light during a review by Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. His investigation revealed that the problem had been flagged as early as 2017 under former Gov. Doug Ducey (R-AZ) and Secretary of State Michele Reagan, yet no effective measures were taken to resolve it. “This is an MVD issue,” Fontes said, referencing the Motor Vehicle Division. “Many state agencies rely on their data, and we now know it isn’t entirely reliable.”
Arizona operates a dual-registration system in compliance with a 2013 Supreme Court ruling, which prevents the state from requiring proof of citizenship for federal elections. Residents who fail to provide such proof are only allowed to vote in federal contests. Still, errors in the MVD system enabled some noncitizens to receive full ballots for state and local races.
An estimated 218,000 individuals were impacted by these errors, with some cases surfacing during previous administrations. In one instance, a noncitizen was sent a mail-in ballot, prompting employees in then-Secretary of State Katie Hobbs’ office to notify Maricopa County officials.
Fontes has announced plans to create a website enabling affected voters to update their records electronically before upcoming municipal elections in 2025. State officials are also reviewing how these errors may have impacted eligibility for other benefits reliant on MVD data.