Georgia Attorney General Joins 25-State Coalition Supporting Arizona Voter Citizenship Law in Supreme Court Case
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Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has signed onto a 25-state brief backing Arizona rules that require proof of citizenship for voter registration, according to reports from April 2026.
The Georgia AG joined a Kansas-led coalition urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Ninth Circuit decision blocking key provisions of Arizona's 2022 election law.
Only American citizens are eligible to vote in American elections. Period. That's not partisan or political – it's the law, and we have to ensure that law is enforced every step of the way, said Carr in a press release.
Carr and 24 other attorneys general support three related lawsuits stemming from challenges to Arizona's election integrity laws. The brief was filed on April 7, 2026.
What Arizona's Law Requires
Arizona's 2022 election law, implemented under the 2013 Shelby County decision that struck down much of the Voting Rights Act, includes several key provisions:
- Proof of citizenship required for full voter registration
- Applicants who fail to provide proof of citizenship are limited to federal-only ballots
- State registration forms must include proof of citizenship or be rejected
A panel at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals previously sided with plaintiffs who challenged these laws, blocking Arizona from enforcing critical provisions. However, eleven judges on the Ninth Circuit believed the case warranted reconsideration by the full court.
Three Separate Supreme Court Petitions
The Ninth Circuit's decision resulted in three separate petitions asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case:
- Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota, No. 25-1017
- Petersen v. Mi Familia Vota, No. 25-1019
- Arizona v. Promise Arizona, No. 25-1019
The attorneys general of the following states joined Carr in filing the same Kansas-led brief in all three cases:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
Georgia's Stakes
For Georgia, nothing changes immediately. Georgia already requires proof of citizenship when residents register to vote. The state's citizenship audit found 20 noncitizens on the voter rolls, and nine had cast ballots in previous elections.
As a voter, I want to know that my vote counts, Carr said.
Carr pointed to Georgia's own voter-roll review as justification for joining the coalition. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office said the state referred the noncitizen voting cases to local prosecutors for investigation.
Carr noted that during his 10 years as attorney general, his office has not received a criminal referral related to noncitizen voting, though he said he would pursue cases if they are referred.
Voting-Rights Critics Push Back
Voting-rights advocates argue the legal push targets a problem that is already rare while risking new barriers for eligible voters.
The right to vote is fundamental, Carr said. Everybody's got to know that it's safe, it's secure, it's accessible and transparent.
However, critics in Georgia described the move as political posturing that could make voting harder.
He knows that our elections are secure but he is essentially doing a soft shoe to the election deniers, said Democratic state Rep. Tanya Miller, who is running for attorney general.
Gerald Griggs, president of the Georgia NAACP, said the focus should remain on access and ensuring qualified voters can cast ballots.
Voter integrity means having access to the ballot, not limiting the people who can vote, Griggs said.
What Could Happen Next
The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will take up the Arizona cases. If it does and the court sides with Arizona and the states supporting the law, the ruling could broaden what states can require at voter registration nationwide.
For Arizona specifically, this could mean:
- Restoration of full enforcement of the 2022 election law provisions
- Ability to reject state registration forms without proof of citizenship
- Limitation of noncitizen applicants to federal-only ballots
For Georgia voters, nothing changes yet, but the court fight could shape the next election cycle.
Knowing that your vote is secure, accessible, and transparent is priceless, Carr said.