Attorney General
says Prop 200 won't be enforced for
March election
CAPITOL MEDIA
SERVICES
Feb. 10, 2005
By Howard Fischer
PHOENIX - Attorney
General Terry Goddard has blocked the
state from requiring identification from
voters in the upcoming elections despite
voter approval of Proposition 200.
Goddard said the rules
crafted by Secretary of State Jan Brewer
to comply with the initiative do not
adequately deal with the problem that
some people may not have the kind of ID
that the regulations require. He said
the problem is especially acute for
Native Americans living in rural areas
who cannot produce what Brewer said is
necessary.
That's not the only
problem.
Goddard also said there
needs to be a procedure in place so that
those who show up at the polls without
the required identification can vote a
"provisional" ballot - one that is not
counted unless it is later verified to
come from someone registered to vote.
Proposition 200 requires
not only proof of citizenship to
register but also says people must
present identification before being
given a ballot. That can include one
photo ID with the name and address of
the voter; two different forms of
identification with the name and address
are necessary if there is nothing wiht a
photograph.
Brewer said she was
disappointed - especially since early
voting already has begun for several
local elections scheduled for March 8.
"My office has spent
hundreds of hours since last November
working with counties and citizen
community leaders to put into practice
these new voting requirements," she
said. "It is extremely unfortunate that
the will of the voters will not be
executed in time for the upcoming
elections."