Yuma, AZ- The Arizona Supreme Court upholds a state law requiring public officials to be able to comprehend and use the English language.
I don't know what's going on, but this reeks of pure politics, in my opinion this is just keeping a united states citizen off the ballot," says John Minore with Edgar and Minore.
It was a unanimous opinion today, explaining why a court barred a woman who they say isn't fluent in English from running for city council in San Luis.
A trail Judge at the Yuma county court had granted a request by San Luis mayor to remove Alejandrina Cabrera from a city council race and she appealed it.
John Minore, An attorney who initially represented Cabrera says the supreme court is violating her constitutional rights.
"This is another example of Arizona holding people down. This is about civil rights, not about whether she's a Mexican America. This is about keeping a citizen off the ballot. Let the people decide if she is competent or not. Again she did graduate from a local high school," says Minore.
The Supreme Court says the Arizona Constitution and Federal Law require public officials to read write and understand English.
"If you look at the statue it says read, write and speak English. She was never tested on her writing. They know she can read it and speak it. They made a decision without fulfilling all three," says Minore.
Minore says it's not the end yet.
He says this case may even make it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Social Tools