DOJ wants ban on proof of citizenship for voter registration

United Press International

The Justice Department supports blocking voter registration forms that require proof of citizenship in three states, according to court filings.  The department urged U.S. District Judge Richard Leon on Monday to issue a preliminary injunction to prevent Kansas, Alabama and Georgia from using the forms. The injunction was requested by the League of Women Voters, which is suing the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission over the forms.

The League brought the suit, alleging that the requirement to prove citizenship acts as a barrier to voter registration, particularly for poor, minority and elderly voters who may not have the required documentation.  The Justice Department’s decision to support the ban is unusual because the Department would otherwise be in the position of defending the EAC in the suit.  EAC executive director Brian Newby issued a directive on Jan. 29 allowing those three states to add the citizenship requirement to the registration forms.......

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