On January 17, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission issued a 46-page ruling, finding that Arizona, Georgia, and Kansas requests to alter the federal voter registration form are denied. The Commission first determines that it has jurisdiction to adjudicate the states’ requests. Then, it evaluates the evidence put forward by the states in support of their request, and finds the evidence unconvincing.

The three states want additional proof that applicants who use the federal form are citizens, other than a signature under penalty of perjury. The EAC ruling says that Arizona and Kansas still accept sworn statements as sufficient for certain election-related purposes, such as changes of address, or an application that the voter is disabled and therefore qualifies for an automatic mail ballot. The EAC also quotes from Arizona election officials who themselves, in the past, have expressed the opinion that an illegal alien is unlikely to register to vote because that would subject that alien to a felony conviction. See pages 27-32.

When someone registers to vote in Oklahoma, he or she is given a voter identification card, but it doesn’t have a photo on it, and the state also requires voters at the polls to show government photo-ID. Representative David Perryman (D-Chickasha), an attorney, has introduced HB 3150. It provides that future voter identification cards carry the photo of the voter, and also an image of each of the two index fingers. The purpose of this would be to eliminate the need for voters at the polls to show government photo-Id, assuming that the voter brought his or her voter identification card to the polls. Thanks to Richard Prawdzienski for this news.

Arizona State Representative Eddie Farnsworth (R-Gilbert) has introduced HB 2196. It repeals the 2013 omnibus election law bill, which had been HB 2305. Among other provisions, the 2013 law makes it extremely difficult for members of small qualified parties to get on their own party’s primary ballot. And it makes it literally impossible for minor party members to nominate write-in candidates in their own party’s primary. That move defies a U.S. District Court decision issued in 1980, won by the Socialist Workers Party. See this story.

The 2013 law had several other provisions, unrelated to minor parties, which seem designed to make it more difficult for voters to remain registered, and which made it more difficult for activists to help voters to vote absentee. These provisions were deemed so harmful to the Democratic Party and its allies that Democrats and associated groups gathered enough signatures to force a referendum vote on HB 2305. If the Farnsworth bill passes, presumably the 2014 popular vote on HG 2305 will be canceled. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.