State and county officials are currently investigating a significant administrative issue that has potentially affected the voting status and ballots of nearly 100,000 Arizona residents. This error centers around the type of ballots received by voters who failed to provide documentation proving U.S. citizenship.
Discovery of Administrative Flaw
The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office identified approximately 97,000 registrants impacted by what has been described as an “administrative error.” These individuals, according to available information, may have improperly received full ballots for an extended period, potentially spanning decades, instead of the federal-only ballots they were eligible for under state law.
Since December 8, 2004, Arizona has mandated that voters who do not provide adequate proof of citizenship, such as a driver’s license issued after October 1, 1996, receive federal-only ballots, which limit participation to presidential, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives elections. Conversely, those who fulfill the documentation requirements are entitled to full ballots, allowing them to vote in federal, state, and local elections.
Technical Issues with MVD and AVID Systems
The problem appears to stem from issues within the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) and its AVID system. An official explanation pointed out that “The AVID system was programmed to query the duplicate issuance date and would not alert the county that the license was originally issued before 10/1/1996.”
Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer emphasized the pervasive nature of this flaw, noting on social media platform X, “This flaw has existed since 2004. In every county. Across the state.” The error was reportedly brought to the governor’s attention on September 7, with assurances from the governor’s office that corrections have been developed, pending a final decision by the Secretary of State.
Differing Opinions on Resolution
The path forward remains unclear as state and county officials have expressed differing views on how to address the error. Richer has indicated that the issue is likely to be resolved through judicial review, stating it will be going to courts “to get a clear answer.”
As officials work to rectify this issue, the distinction between a Full Ballot Voter and a Federal Only Voter has come under scrutiny, highlighting the critical importance of accurate voter registration processes and the implications such errors hold for electoral integrity.
