Organizers of statewide petition visit Yuma today

The steps of the Yuma County Recorder's Office will be the scene of a press conference today where local and state organizers of an initiative requiring proof of citizenship before voting or obtaining public services will ask Yumans for support.

Kathy McKee, chairwoman of Protect Arizona Now, said the initiative — named the "Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act" — is meant to give teeth to laws already on the books, such as the one saying only citizens can vote. McKee said her organization is tired of election officials refusing to ask for identification and, as a result, allowing illegal immigrants to vote.

Supporters formally launched their drive with a July 7 filing with the state. They need to collect 122,612 signatures of registered voters by July 1, 2004, to qualify the measure for the November 2004 general election ballot.

The group of local volunteers is currently preparing to collect signatures and McKee said she will announce former Yuma mayoral candidate Jack Kretzer as the organizer of the local effort.

"The success of this initiative hinges on the efforts of the local communities," McKee said. "I think we will get the signatures we need quickly."

Kretzer said he is leading the Yuma effort because he is against not just illegal immigrants voting, but other types of voter fraud, such as people using the names of deceased family members.

He said anyone wishing to join the effort should attend the press conference, scheduled at 4 p.m. and sign up to help.

"Why should we let people who aren't citizens make decisions that affect our country?" Kretzer said.

He said several local residents have contacted him about helping get signatures and he expects many more to show up after the press conference.

The initiative has gotten the attention of several state lawmakers. The eight Republican members of Arizona’s congressional delegation in a joint statement said they share many concerns about illegal immigration but will not support the initiative proposed for the state’s 2004 ballot.

‘‘After careful consideration, we have concluded that the initiative ... will not solve the problems it seeks to address, and we are concerned that it may, in fact, do harm,’’ the Republicans said in the statement released on their behalf by U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz..

The GOP delegation members said they agree that more must be done to secure the border ‘‘and to ensure that Arizonans do not bear the burden of an ineffective immigration policy. However, guarding the border is, and should remain, the responsibility of the federal government.’’

Similar approaches tried in other states have been ruled unconstitutional, the statement said. ‘‘Arizona should stand out as a leader in immigration strategies and reform. It should not pursue efforts that will not achieve results or will repeat the mistakes made by others,’’ the statement said.

"The initiative has gotten the attention of several state lawmakers. The eight Republican members of Arizona’s congressional delegation in a joint statement said they share many concerns about illegal immigration but will not support the initiative proposed for the state’s 2004 ballot. "

Or in other words, they have absolutely no problem with illegal aliens voting in American elections. Therefore, they also have no problem with foreign nationals determining American policy!

Where is the barf bag?

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3 posted on 07/18/2003 12:39:51 PM PDT by Support Free Republic (Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)

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