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PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Department of Transportation is expected to begin closing 12 Motor Vehicle Division branches as early as next month after the federal government approved the plan.

The move required U.S. Justice Department approval because the branches offer voter-registration services.

MVD spokeswoman Cydney DeModica says a timeline is being developed for the closures, but the state is locked into some of leases.

Offices are set to close include central Phoenix, east Mesa, Ajo, Bisbee and Willcox. The offices set to close represent about 20 percent of the 61 locations throughout the state. Last year, four MVD locations cut their Saturday hours.

The closures are part of $100 million in cuts ADOT made to address the state budget crisis.