Arizona poll finds voters want to end public assistance to immigrants
September 24, 2003
Despite loud denunciation by the majority of the state's political power brokers, voters are supporting a proposed initiative that would prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving public assistance and would require Arizonans to prove their citizenship before they could register to vote.
Seven of 10 voters support the Protect Arizona Now initiative, according to a poll released Tuesday by Arizona State University.
Politicians ranging from U.S. Sen. John McCain to Gov. Janet Napolitano have criticized the proposal, which could get on the November 2004 ballot if supporters gather enough signatures.
"It shows how big the disconnect is between politicians and the public they serve," said pollster Bruce Merrill, an ASU journalism professor. "When times are tough and people are worried about their jobs, people are looking at the costs of illegal immigration. It cuts across race and party."
Merrill, who surveyed 390 registered voters last weekend, said his poll also indicates that some Hispanics aren't opposed to this plan because undocumented immigrants are competing for their jobs, too.
The poll had a margin of error of 5 percentage points. Rural voters and conservatives are most supportive of the plan, the poll indicates.
The strong initial support shows Arizona again emerging as a battleground over the issue of illegal immigration, with some reactions echoing the bitterness of a 1994 California campaign against undocumented immigrants.
Protect Arizona Now backers say that undocumented immigrants are draining state and local governments and that officials turn a blind eye to the problem of illegal immigration. Opponents call them political extremists and "uneducated fools."
State Rep. Russell Pearce, who is helping organize Protect Arizona Now, said he believes support is even stronger than the poll suggests.
"I'm surprised it's that low," said Pearce, R-Mesa. "People have been absolutely overwhelming in support of this. They understand that this is not about securing the borders; it's about fraud. We are simply saying, 'Once you've come in through that back door, you can't get taxpayer money through welfare and you can't vote.' "
Pearce said the grass-roots group is collecting signatures at a fast clip, but he did not have specifics on how close it is to its goal of 122,000 by July 1. Under the measure, undocumented immigrants would no longer be able to receive housing subsidies or library cards. They still would be able to receive emergency medical services and attend Arizona's public schools.
Napolitano press secretary Kris Mayes predicted that Arizonans will reject the measure when they understand what it's all about.
"Arizona doesn't need this divisive initiative, and the governor joins with Senators McCain, Kyl and the rest of the congressional delegation in opposing it," Mayes said. "Ultimately, we're confident that as voters get the opportunity to delve into the details of the initiative, they will reject it."