January 19, 2005

MALDEF turns attention to most popular provisions of Prop. 200

PHOENIX � Opponents of Arizona's new immigration law � stymied in their initial court challenges � are taking aim at the law's election mandates, claiming they'll virtually eliminate voter registration drives and place too many obstacles in front of minority voters...

"It hurts minorities, particularly Hispanics and Native Americans that do have a language barrier," said Democratic Rep. Steve Gallardo...

A separate objection filed by MALDEF said the polling-place identification requirement amounts to an illegal poll tax because low-income, minority and elderly voters � especially those living on Indian reservations and in extended households � are less likely to have the types of identification required by the law.

"With no vehicle, there is no need for a driver's license. With no plumbing, there is no water bill. With no telephone, there is no telephone bill," MALDEF attorney Steven J. Reyes wrote. "American citizens should not be denied the right to vote because they are poor..."

Methinks it's not the poor he's thinking about so much as illegal aliens who are of the same race as he is.

In polls, support for Prop. 200's voting provisions was above 90%. So, hey, good luck there.