Bender interviewed on PBS

Paul Bender, Professor of Law and Dean Emeritus, was a guest on March 18 on PBS’s Horizon, where he talked about the possibility of the U.S. Supreme Court reviewing and overturning a state voter-registration law.

Approved in 2004, the Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act requires voters to provide proof of citizenship before casting their ballots. Opponents of the law say it goes beyond the federal voter registration form that requires only a signature to prove citizenship.

“It’s a question of who has the burden of proof,” Bender said. “And it makes a big difference.”

If someone goes to a polling station and is forced to present several documents, they may become discouraged, Bender said. However, he said if the federal form were enough, it would be very easy to register. The state then would have to pick out whom it thinks are ineligible and challenge them.

To watch the full interview, click here.

Bender teaches courses on U.S. and Arizona constitutional law, and has written extensively about constitutional law, intellectual property and Indian law. He has argued more than 20 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and actively participates in constitutional litigation in federal and state courts.