By JUSTIN JUOZAPAVICIUS
Associated Press
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Backers
of Oklahoma's recently approved ballot measure wiping out affirmative
action in state government say they're confident it could withstand a
legal challenge.
But there are conflicting precedents in federal court.
Federal judges weighed in
this week on a similar voter-approved law in Michigan that bans the use
of affirmative action in college admission. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court
of Appeals ruled that 2006 constitutional amendment was illegal.
But a similar voter-approved ban in California has been upheld by another federal appeals court.
Oklahoma's ballot measure
was similar to California's plan, as well as other approved proposals in
Nebraska, Washington and Arizona. The Republican-backed plan prohibits
preferential treatment in contracts or education programs based on race,
gender, ethnicity or national origin.
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2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
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