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Yuma AZ: Candidate stricken from ballot, lacks English proficiency

Bateluer

Bateluer

Lifer
http://www.ktar.com/6/1493720/Candidate-removed-from-ballot-over-English-rule

YUMA, Ariz. - A judge has ruled that a city council candidate in Arizona must be removed from the ballot due to lack of English proficiency.

The ruling came after the San Luis City Council approved a motion Jan. 13 asking for verification that Alejandrina Cabrera meets the requirement of a state law that any person holding office in the state, a county or city must speak, write and read English.

The Yuma Sun reported the removal stemmed from a Dec. 14 complaint made by former mayor Guillermina Fuentes that Cabrera isn't fluent in English.

Fuentes claimed she has acted as an interpreter for Cabrera.

Yuma County Superior Judge John Nelson ordered Cabrera's name stricken from the March ballot after Wednesday night's court hearing.

Cabrera's lawyers say they're considering an appeal.
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Good call.
 
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Pretty sad when elected officials can't even speak/read/write the language used for official government business. We're doomed.
 
This law bars citizens from holding elective office, effectively creating a second class citizenship. I wouldn't hold my breath that the law is held valid on appeal, I'm rather shocked the trial court judge didn't throw it out. The cynical part of me guesses trial court judges are elected in Arizona.
 
ichy said:
I find it ironic that you misspelled "ballot."
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Corrected. 😛

Thump553 said:
This law bars citizens from holding elective office, effectively creating a second class citizenship. I wouldn't hold my breath that the law is held valid on appeal, I'm rather shocked the trial court judge didn't throw it out. The cynical part of me guesses trial court judges are elected in Arizona.
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Does nothing of the sort. There's no second class citizenship created, nor is it stop any citizen from running for a public office. Speaking the language is, and should be, a requirement to hold public office. Do you complain when your employers post a list of requirements for job postings? Driver's license, certifications or degrees, minimum experience, etc.
 
Thump553 said:
This law bars citizens from holding elective office, effectively creating a second class citizenship. I wouldn't hold my breath that the law is held valid on appeal, I'm rather shocked the trial court judge didn't throw it out. The cynical part of me guesses trial court judges are elected in Arizona.
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please explain how a second class citizen is created by this law. back up your claim or stfu.
 
Thump553 said:
This law bars citizens from holding elective office, effectively creating a second class citizenship. I wouldn't hold my breath that the law is held valid on appeal, I'm rather shocked the trial court judge didn't throw it out. The cynical part of me guesses trial court judges are elected in Arizona.
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Even if one was to graduate with a 6th grade education... that person would be proficient in the English language. This law bars a very small number of people from holding elected office in that state. And rightly so, state government business is conducted in english. One needs to be able read, write, and speak the language. End of story.
 
rudder said:
One needs to be able read, write, and speak the language. End of story.
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I find your attitude disturbing.

stephen-hawking-0.jpg
 
OutHouse said:
please explain how a second class citizen is created by this law. back up your claim or stfu.
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It sure sounds like a good talking point, doesn't it? "Oh, woes is me, I can'ts speakez the language and I wanted to be in teh pubic officez."

I know politicians aren't the brightest but at least make sure they can at least communicate somewhat effectively with the populous.
 
Since there is no official national language of the United States I don't see how this sticks. Once lawmakers pass a law stating English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, whatever is chosen to be the national language then there might be a case for requiring. Until then, I can't see this being legal.

Government business tends to be conducted in English but there is no law requiring it to my knowledge, and that is the problem with not having an official language.
 
senseamp said:
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Euro...-liberal-candidate-from-presidential-election
This is where this is headed, if we let bureaucrats trim ballots instead of letting voters decide.
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Let's not forget curling. I mean what kind of sport is that? Then hot dog eating contests. They're disgusting, and several butcher's aprons.

All the above and what you posted are equally relevant. If the person in question cannot understand the majority of the people to be served then he or she cannot do their job adequately. Sorry, maybe you don't think it's fair, but if you are blind and want to be a microbiologist the microscope isn't going to talk to you to make it up.

The citizens aren't supposed to be able to freely communicate with an official? How about learning the language then trying again? Na, makes too much sense.
 
Welcome to America, now speak English :biggrin:. btw, I feel its just matter of time before aclu or moveon comes and sues the city council.
 
xBiffx said:
Since there is no official national language of the United States I don't see how this sticks. Once lawmakers pass a law stating English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, whatever is chosen to be the national language then there might be a case for requiring. Until then, I can't see this being legal.

Government business tends to be conducted in English but there is no law requiring it to my knowledge, and that is the problem with not having an official language.
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Exactly, it's unconstitutional. Do people even realize that there were lots of Americans who spoke German in the early days of the republic.
 
I don't see a problem with someone not being able to speak Enligh and running for office. As long as they personally pay, fully and in every way, for an interpreter, including one who will answer their phone, write their e-mails, etc., and the candidate is held personally responsible for any errors that the interpreter makes, have at it.

I can't imagine how many votes they're going to get having to have an interpreter standing right beside them at debates (which should be required, not be off-camera, the people have to understand what they're getting), having to translate everything for them.

In this case, the US made this insanity, and continues to allow it, so we're going to have to ride what we saddled...
 
feralkid said:
Does this mean the illiterates in the State Legislature are next?
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I would hope those that can't read and understand the constitution would be out. It should go all the way to the President and SC.

but..then i'm dreaming aren't i?
 
hal2kilo said:
Exactly, it's unconstitutional. Do people even realize that there were lots of Americans who spoke German in the early days of the republic.
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the law says to run for office you need to know English. so yea for politicians there is an official language and its a law. what more do you want?
 
Hayabusa Rider said:
Let's not forget curling. I mean what kind of sport is that? Then hot dog eating contests. They're disgusting, and several butcher's aprons.

All the above and what you posted are equally relevant. If the person in question cannot understand the majority of the people to be served then he or she cannot do their job adequately. Sorry, maybe you don't think it's fair, but if you are blind and want to be a microbiologist the microscope isn't going to talk to you to make it up.

The citizens aren't supposed to be able to freely communicate with an official? How about learning the language then trying again? Na, makes too much sense.
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This assumes that the voters are too stupid to not elect someone who can't perform the job. We don't need unelected bureaucrats to decide elections for us.
 
I read in another, more in-depth article a day or two ago that this town has a population that essentially speaks Spanish. Over 90% of the town speaks Spanish as the language in their homes. The mayor who filed the lawsuit against the candidate has also been the subject of multiple recall petitions by the woman, so it's likely politically motivated

Also, the law states that you need to read, write, and speak English. It doesn't say how well. She has a basic level of English.
 
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