Court ruling strikes down part of Arizona Voter ID law

PHOENIX - A federal appeals court has struck down a key part of Arizona's law requiring voters to prove they are citizens before registering to vote or casting ballots.

Tuesday's decision by a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the law requiring voters to prove their citizenship while registering is inconsistent with the National Voter Registration Act . That federal law allows voters to fill out a mail-in card and swear they are citizens under penalty of perjury, but doesn't require them to show proof as Arizona's law does.

"I think it's an outrage and a slap in the face to every Arizonan who is interested in protecting the integrity of our elections," said Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett.

Appeals Court Judge Sandra S. Ikuta's opinion was joined by retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who heard the case as a temporary appeals court judge. The 9th Circuit's chief judge, Alex Kozinski, dissented.

"I think most Arizonans and Americans respect that is crazy to suggest anyone gets to sign a document saying I'm a citizen and not having to provide proof," added Bennett.

"Ken Bennett is wrong," said Lydia Guzman, President of Somos America, a coalition of organizations who serve the Hispanic community in the Valley.

"If he's questioning the integrity of elections based on this ruling then he has no business being Secretary of State," added Guzman.

Bennett said Arizona's Attorney General, Terry Goddard, would file an appeal to the full 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and, if necessary, the United States Supreme Court.

Attempts to reach a spokesperson for Goddard have been unsuccessful.