Thread: Judge Orders English Test for Council Candidate

Judge Orders English Test for Council Candidate

Updated: Saturday, 14 Jan 2012, 8:47 PM MST
Published : Saturday, 14 Jan 2012, 4:10 PM MST

YUMA, Ariz. (AP) — A judge in Yuma has ordered that a candidate for San Luis City Council be tested for English proficiency.

Alejandrina Cabrera's name will remain on the ballot, but Judge John Nelson could order her removed if she doesn't pass the English tests.

The Yuma Sun reports the City Council voted in December to ask Cabrera to prove she meets a state law requiring any person holding elected office to speak, read and write English.

City attorney Glenn Gimbut filed a special action asking the court to require that Cabrera prove her English-language skills.

The judge on Friday approved the city's request to hire a nationally known sociolinguistics expert to test Cabrera.

Cabrera's lawyer says the action against Cabrera is politically motivated because of her efforts to recall the mayor.

Judge Orders English Test for Council Candidate