Arizona certifies Anti-Immigrant ballot measure

An initiative that would require people to prove their citizenship when registering to vote or when seeking social services in Arizona was certified Monday for the November ballot. Supporters say Proposition 200, the Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, is intended to combat welfare and voter fraud. Opponents say it is unnecessary and rooted in racism. Secretary of State Jan Brewer announced that supporters had collected more than the required 122,612 names. If approved by voters, Proposition 200 would require state residents to prove their citizenship when registering to vote and show identification when casting a ballot in person. People applying for services not mandated by the federal government would also have to prove their identities and eligibility. Initiative supporters say that requirement is limited to people applying for welfare but opponents say the reach is broader. The Service Employees International Union on Friday filed a lawsuit seeking to keep the initiative off the ballot; a hearing is set for Tuesday. In a related development, the Arizona Supreme Court on Monday declined to rule on a separate lawsuit filed by the union to challenge some parts of the official voter pamphlet's description of the initiative. [more ]