by Arizona has presented a proposal which may require presidential candidates to prove their eligibility to occupy the Oval Office. Though the idea was just recently introduced, it is quickly gathering momentum, and has sixteen members of the State senate as co-sponsors. The suggestion originated from Rep. Judy Burges, and needs only sixteen votes in order to pass.The proposal was submitted last year, but fell short. Now, it is being taken up by numerous states, and is highly specific. It addresses the issues that have arisen from Obama’s presidency. It says:“Within ten days after submittal of the names of the candidates, the national political party committee shall submit an affidavit of the presidential candidate in which the presidential candidate states the candidate’s citizenship and age and shall append to the affidavit documents that prove that the candidate meets the residency requirements for President of the United States as prescribed in article II, section I, Constitution of the United States.”Burges explained further: “I think every American should consider it of prime importance to ensure that all candidates for the highest elected position in our nation meet all constitutional requirements. We do not accept the federal government’s unconstitutional treatment of states as one of their extended branches.” The Arizona bill also requires that the candidate produce proof that “shall be sworn to under penalty of perjury.” This includes “an original long form birth certificate that includes the date and place of birth, the names of the hospital and the attending physician and signatures of the witnesses in attendance.” It goes on to state that the candidate must not have “held dual or multiple citizenship and that the candidates allegiance is solely to the United States of America.”“If both the candidate and the national political party committee for that candidate fail to submit and swear to the documents prescribed in this section, the secretary of states shall not place that presidential candidate’s name on the ballot in this state,” states the plan.
