Kolodin Advocates for Proof of Citizenship

Representative Alex Kolodin’s (R-3) workload doesn’t stop simply because Arizona’s legislative session ends. Despite the 2024 session closing on June 15, 2024, Kolodin remains actively engaged, pursuing crucial policies to support his constituents. In an exclusive interview with Arizona Globe’s political analyst Christy Kelly, Kolodin emphasized there is no “off-season” for legislators—only a “planning season” and an “execution season.”

Kolodin’s primary focus is the joint emergency motion filed by Arizona House Republicans and the RNC with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to enforce a “proof of citizenship” rule for presidential and congressional elections. He insisted that requiring proof of citizenship and disallowing “federal-only ballots” is crucial for ensuring election integrity. The appeal by Arizona Republican lawmakers requests the 9th Circuit to override a decision by federal Judge Susan Bolton to block the application of the law pending a review by the full 9th Circuit Court.

Progressive voting rights groups initially challenged the law, claiming it conflicted with federal voting laws. Bolton denied a request from Republican legislators to allow the blocked provisions pending appeal, resulting in the emergency motion. Kolodin thinks that the Ninth Circuit will likely hear the ruling within a month but is concerned with its timing due to the upcoming primary.

“Federal-only voter registrations have exploded since 2020,” Kolodin advised. He continued explaining that these (undocumented voters) are all people who, under the current law, “can vote for president in 2024” but have not provided “documented proof of citizenship.”

Kolodin stated, “We can infer that they aren’t actually U.S. citizens,” adding, “It may be part of a concerted plan to bring people in [to our country] to save Joe Biden’s butt. After that debate performance, they are really going to need to stack the deck.”

Protecting the vote is not the only iron in Kolodin’s fire. His other efforts during the “planning season” (post-legislative session) include helping to draft the proposed America-First planks of the Republican Party Platform, an investigation into Maricopa’s security practices with Rep. Jacqueline Parker “in light of the recent theft of an election key by a county employee,” and participating in an upcoming legislative town hall to address the ongoing water challenges in Maricopa County and the state. The event, emceed by local conservative talk show host James T. Harris, will feature Kolodin and leaders of the Salt River Project, Water Resource Institue, and others for a town hall-style presentation Entitled “The War for Water: Why It Matters, and How to Win It.”