Rule Reversal

The Ninth Circuit reverses course:

The rationale, from the judges on the three-judge panel who were in the majority? The change this close to the November elections would cause "confusion and chaos":

In its Thursday order, approved on a 2-1 vote, the court reversed last month's decision by a "motions panel " that blocked certain voter registrations. That panel "misunderstood the extent of confusion and chaos that would be engendered by a late-stage alteration to the status quo of Arizona's election rules," Judges Kim McLane Wardlaw and Ronald Gould wrote.

In dissent, Judge Patrick Bumatay "argu[ed] the earlier panel got it right. The state legislature cannot be bound by an agreement reached between a former secretary of state and the federal government without running into 'serious separation of powers concerns,' he wrote." This "agreement" language might require explanation for anyone outside the Copper state: Arizona currently has a two-track registration system; if you can show the required proof of citizenship, you may vote in any election. But those who cannot prove they are citizens get "federal only" ballots -- that is, they can only vote for federal offices like congressional and presidential races.

Citizenship still matters...