The Associated Press is reporting that “Arizonans will vote next year on a proposed state constitutional amendment to generally prohibit state and local governments from discrimination and preferential treatment based on race, ethnicity and sex.”

AP’s Paul Davenport reports:

The proposed constitutional amendment does not use the words “affirmative action,” but supporters said it would end discrimination and preferential treatment in public education and government employment and contracting.

The measure was championed by California activist Ward Connerly, president of the American Civil Rights Institute, and the Arizona Civil Rights Initiative, a group that circulated petitions trying to get the amendment on the ballot .  AP quotes Connerly, avowed critic of affirmative action programs:

“We’re still dividing the American people into these arbitrary groups and making distinctions about them on the basis of how they spell their last name or the color of their skin and where their great-granddaddy came from.”

AP reports that four other states — California, Nebraska, Michigan and Washington — have approved versions put on the ballot through voter petitions. Colorado voters last November became the first in the nation to reject it.

AP reports:

Sen. Rebecca Rios, D-Apache Junction, said she voted against the resolution because some preferences are still needed.

“I don’t think we’re there yet. I think we’ve made tremendous gains, but I think in certain situations there’s still the need for this, whether it’s with women-owned businesses or … certain situations where gains need to be made,” Rios said after the Senate vote.