Some people still think voting in races like the State Supreme Court doesn’t matter…but this case is a perfect example why it does.

A sharply divided Alabama Supreme Court turned back a group Friday that sought to end Alabama’s practice of giving the driver’s license exam in several foreign languages.

Attorneys for the ProEnglish organization had argued that giving the exam in multiple languages violated a constitutional amendment that designates English as Alabama’s official language.

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court said the ProEnglish group presented no evidence that administering the test in multiple languages diminishes English as Alabama’s common language. The Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling in favor of Gov. Bob Riley and other state officials.

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb cited the governor’s argument that permitting people with limited English proficiency to take the written portion of the exam in their native language helped them get a license, and the license fostered their assimilation into the community by increasing their access to education, employment and shopping.

Four justices — Glenn Murdock, Lyn Stuart, Mike Bolin and Tom Parker — said the case should have gone in favor of the plaintiffs.

Sue Bell Cobb is bringing sanity to the court once again…we should all be thankful, and we all need to vote to keep her there next time around.

montgomeryadvertiser.com ::  Court allows driver’s exam in multiple languages

Sphere: Related Content