Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) indicated that she may not sign the recently passed “birther” bill into law, explaining that “I think my big concern probably, just shooting a little bit from the hip, is the fact that I don’t know if we regulate federal elections.”
The state House passed legislation on Thursday, by a vote of 40-16, that would require candidates to prove their citizenship before they can get on state ballots. The bill had passed the state Senate the day before, and Brewer will now decide whether to veto it or sign it into law.
The legislation would require candidates to produce a “long-form birth certificate” with the date and location of birth, the names of the attending physician and the hospital, and signatures of any witnesses. In lieu of a birth-certificate, candidates could also provide a hospital, baptismal, or circumcision certificate.
Brewer said she’s still reviewing the bill, according to the Arizona Daily Star.
Though it doesn’t mention President Obama specifically, the bill was almost certain inspired by conspiracy theories surrounding his birth certificate — theories that have been repeatedly debunked.
But birtherism has recently seen some resurgence, thanks to a media blitz by possible presidential candidate Donald Trump. Trump even met with state Rep. Carl Seel (R), who sponsored the bill.
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