By Andrew Oxford | The Republic
Another hearing at the Arizona Legislature erupted in shouting Tuesday night, culminating in the chair of the House Elections Committee trying to cut off public testimony and pass multifaceted changes to election law in the late evening.
Committee Chairwoman Kelly Townsend, a Republican from Mesa who is sponsoring the bill, argued it would merely help prevent voter fraud. But a crowd of critics waited for hours to lodge their opposition, arguing the bill is aimed at disenfranchising voters, particularly people of color.
Opponents argued one provision of House Bill 2304 would stop voters from taking a translator of their choosing to voting booths.
Critics also noted the bill would, among other things, allow the state to contract with federal immigration authorities to check the citizenship status of people on Arizona’s voter registration rolls.
Critics contend both processes could trip up new citizens and hamper them in the voter registration process.
Townsend argued that the measure seeks to ensure that only citizens are registering to vote and that it should not affect people who are eligible to participate in elections.
She cut off one speaker who argued the measure was part of an effort to suppress election turnout and participation in communities of color.
Related: Townsend files ethics complaints over squabble against two Dem lawmakers
