Arizona
US federal judge upholds most provisions of Arizona voting laws requiring proof of citizenship
A federal judge in Arizona upheld two state laws on Thursday that require voters to provide documentation to prove their US citizenship before registering to vote. US District Judge Susan Bolton’s decision upheld HB 2492 and 2243.
After a 10-day bench trial, Bolton issued a 109-page opinion upholding the laws. However, Bolton found that the provision of HB 2492 that requires voters to list their place of birth to be presumed as properly registered to vote violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) because “an individual’s birthplace is not material to determining her eligibility to vote.” Bolton also struck down a provision of HB 2243 that allowed voter registration workers to conduct SAVE checks on registrants that they believe “are not United States citizens.” SAVE is a federal government system that retrieves immigration-related information to determine government benefit eligibility.
However, Bolton concluded that the laws did not impose an “undue burden” on voters. Additionally, Bolton did not find that the laws violate the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution. Under the Equal Protection Clause, if a law is facially neutral, the plaintiffs have the burden to demonstrate that the government passed the law with a discriminatory purpose. During the trial, the plaintiffs had expert witnesses testify about Arizona’s history of discrimination in the context of past voting laws. Nevertheless, Bolton ruled that the plaintiffs “failed to show that the Voting Laws were enacted with a discriminatory purpose.”
In response to the ruling, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes stated:
We applaud the Court for its decisive action in upholding the rights of all Arizona voters. Today’s opinion dismantles a blatant attempt to suppress the votes of Arizona’s diverse electorate. This ruling reaffirms that voter suppression has no place in our democracy, and attempts to disenfranchise citizens are a solution in search of a problem
Under Arizona law, voters have to be US citizens. HB 2492 requires Arizona voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. HB 2243 allows vote registrations to be canceled if recorders have a reason to believe the person is not a citizen or does not provide satisfactory evidence of citizenship within 35 days of notice.
GLENDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — Multiple people have been shot at a popular entertainment spot in Glendale, according to officials with the city’s police department. No suspect or suspects have been caught, police said.
Officers responded to the Westgate Entertainment District, near Glendale and 91st avenues, around 9 p.m. for reports of a shooting.
Police said they believe the injuries are not life-threatening.
Police said the individuals involved may have known one another and this was an isolated incident. No other information was given.
This is a developing story.
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Arizona
Arizona boy named Disneyland’s one billionth guest on his 8th birthday in memorable ceremony
An Arizona boy received the present of a lifetime while celebrating his birthday at the Happiest Place on Earth when he was honored as the one billionth guest at the California theme park.
Andres Robles, 8, walked through the gates of Disneyland Resort Friday morning ready to celebrate his 8th birthday with his parents when he received the heartfelt surprise, DisneyParksBlog reported.
The birthday boy and his parents Alejandra and Jose attended a ceremony at the Main Street USA train station platform where the beaming 8-year-old unveiled a sign showcasing the updated population of the theme park.
“Population 1,000,000,000,” read the sign.
Fittingly, Mickey and Minnie Mouse were in attendance for the special ceremony, as well as their friends Daisy and Donald Duck.
The birthday celebrations for the youngster continued after the ceremony when he was gifted with a VIP tour guide for the day — which can start at a whopping $3,500 for the luxury service.
The lucky family was treated to a tour of Walt Disney’s private apartment located on park grounds as well as the new Soarin’ Across America attraction commemorating America’s 250th birthday.
“The Robles family visit is just one of the many lifelong memories that have been created here at Disneyland Resort,” the blog wrote.
“From vacations and reunions to birthdays and more, generations of families and friends have come to Disneyland Resort to have fun together.”
Disneyland Resort — which encompasses Disneyland and Disney California Adventure — celebrated its 70th anniversary last year.
Known as the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland “has served as the inspiration behind the creation of more Disney theme parks and experiences across the globe,” according to DisneyParksBlog.
“Today, Disneyland continues its legacy as a worldwide icon and industry leader in entertainment and theme park experiences.”
“The resort continues to invest in creativity, technology and innovation to bring storytelling to new heights, while fulfilling Walt Disney’s vision that ‘Disneyland will never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world,’” the blog added.
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