Voting rights denied?

(NBCNC) - A case before the Supreme Court could impact the documents you must provide the next you register to vote.

The National Voter Registration Act requires registrants to sign a sworn affidavit attesting to their citizenship.

Arizona wants to take the law one step further and require registrants to also show documentation of citizenship, for instance a drivers license or birth certificate.

"We want eligible people to register and make it as easy as possible for eligible people consistent with also protecting the integrity of the system," says Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne.

Arizona voters approved the law, but opponents argue it would prevent or delay thousands of citizens without the proper documentation from registering, predominantly impacting minorities, the elderly, the young and nationalized citizens.

Making it easier to vote was the goal of the 1993 Voter Registration Act now in question.

The act created a single federal voter registration form.

Attorney Jon Greenbaum says Arizona overstepped its power by adding additional requirements to that form.

"Congress set the rules in terms of saying You've got to accept and use this form as long as it is filled out correctly,'" he explains.

Arizona Attorney General Horne disagrees.

"I think that there are many indications that Congress did not intend to prevent us from asking for evidence of citizenship," he counters.

The case leaves justices considering changes to two key voting laws this term.

Just over two weeks ago they heard a challenge to the voting rights act which tries to prevent discrimination at the polls.