Start with something as minor as a misspelled name. Put an "s" in place of a "z" or an "n" instead of an "" and naturalized citizens could end up not being allowed to vote, according to groups that look out for the interests of minorities. Union officials and community groups on Thursday criticized a state Senate bill that would require election officials to confirm someone's citizenship before allowing the person to register to vote. Officials with the United Farm Workers of America, Washington State Migrant Council and the AFL-CIO denounced a provision in Senate Bill 5743 that requires county auditors to verify with federal immigration authorities the citizenship of each voting applicant. "They will be targeting our surnames, like Garcia," said Jesus Armendariz, the associate director of the migrant and seasonal Head Start program with the Washington State Migrant Council. "It's going to be causing a lot of confusion." Speaking in front of the Yakima County Courthouse, Erik Nicholson, the regional director for the United Farm Workers, said the bill makes no provisions for naturalized citizens to challenge a decision that could prevent them from voting. He said the bill serves only to intimidate Latinos and other immigrants who are U.S. citizens. "Today, we're calling on the Legislature and the governor to make sure this provision is revoked," Nicholson said. Lupe Gamboa, the AFL-CIO campaign director, said the bill ultimately would disenfranchise Hispanics who remain fearful of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, now known as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Gamboa said the provision may not be intentionally targeting Latinos but it ultimately will deter them from registering to vote. [more]