Court affirms election ban over English proficiency
Source: Agencies |
February 9, 2012, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE US state of Arizona's Supreme Court has affirmed a ruling that barred a woman from running for a city council seat because she doesn't speak English proficiently.
The state's highest court ruled that Alejandrina Cabrera's name shouldn't appear on the March 13 election ballot in San Luis but didn't list a reason for the decision. A full written ruling is expected at a later date.
The case brought widespread attention to the southern Arizona border city after Mayor Juan Carlos Escamilla filed a court action asking for a determination of whether Cabrera has the English skills necessary.
State law requires elected officials to know English, but Cabrera's attorneys claimed the law doesn't define proficiency.
John Minore, an attorney for Cabrera, said his office is looking to appeal the case to the US Supreme Court. Cabrera lawyers had said the action was politically motivated because of her efforts to recall Escamilla.
Sociolinguistics expert William Eggington told the court that, based on tests, Cabrera's English skills did not meet the level of proficiency needed to serve on the council.
The state's highest court ruled that Alejandrina Cabrera's name shouldn't appear on the March 13 election ballot in San Luis but didn't list a reason for the decision. A full written ruling is expected at a later date.
The case brought widespread attention to the southern Arizona border city after Mayor Juan Carlos Escamilla filed a court action asking for a determination of whether Cabrera has the English skills necessary.
State law requires elected officials to know English, but Cabrera's attorneys claimed the law doesn't define proficiency.
John Minore, an attorney for Cabrera, said his office is looking to appeal the case to the US Supreme Court. Cabrera lawyers had said the action was politically motivated because of her efforts to recall Escamilla.
Sociolinguistics expert William Eggington told the court that, based on tests, Cabrera's English skills did not meet the level of proficiency needed to serve on the council.
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