PHOENIX – Gov. Jan Brewer and Attorney General Terry Goddard are in sync in wanting to keep a federal Voting Rights Act section that requires Arizona to get advance federal approval for election procedural changes.
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering the provision’s constitutionality in a case from Texas.
Goddard joined other attorneys general in filing a brief supporting continuation of the provision. The brief said the provision has helped reduce voting discrimination but that it is still needed.
Goddard didn’t consult Brewer before joining the brief, but Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman said Brewer also supports the provision and has no problems with it.
Brewer was Arizona’s chief elections official as secretary of state before becoming governor.