Associated Press - June 18, 2009 7:54 PM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona House has voted to have Arizona voters decide whether to amend the state Constitution to generally prohibit discrimination and favorable treatment by state and local government based on sex, race, ethnicity, color and national origin.

The House vote Thursday was 32-18.

Identical legislation is pending in the Senate. Passage by both chambers would send the measure to the 2010 general election ballot.

The measure is a retooled version of an initiative proposal that failed to qualify for the 2008 ballot. It is championed by former California educator Ward Connerly.

That proposed amendment was described as being intended to dismantle state and local government preferential programs for women and minorities.

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