The U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether to hear Arizona v Inter Tribal Council at its October 5 conference. This is the lawsuit, formerly named Gonzalez v Arizona, over whether Arizona can require extra information when individuals who are registering to vote use the federal postcard voter registration form. The federal form does not ask for proof that the applicant is a U.S. citizen (other than the applicant’s signature, signed under penalty of perjury). Arizona law requires that such proof be attached when individuals register to vote. The Ninth Circuit had ruled that Arizona is not free to (in effect) amend the federal form with additional requirements. In the U.S. Supreme Court, the case is 12-71. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this information.

When the Ninth Circuit heard this case, one of the three judges was retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Occasionally retired U.S. Supreme Court Justices sit on U.S. Court of Appeals panels.