Ariz Supreme Court bars San Luis council candidate

Ariz Supreme Court bars San Luis council candidate

PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Supreme Court has affirmed a ruling that barred a woman from running for a city council seat because she doesn’t speak English proficiently.

The state’s highest court issued its ruling today, saying Alejandrina Cabrera’s name shouldn’t appear on the March election ballot in San Luis.

The case brought widespread attention to the southern Arizona border city after Mayor Juan Carlos Escamilla filed a court action asking for a determination of whether Cabrera has the English skills necessary to serve a four-year term on the council.

State law requires elected officials to know English, but Cabrera’s attorneys claim the law doesn’t define proficiency in the language.

Cabrera was one of 10 candidates who filed petitions to run for the council.