Lawmakers’ ballot measures block election reform
In an opinion published in the Arizona Capitol Times on Aug. 1, 2024, “Election Reform Voters Have Been Waiting for, Finally”, Al Bell correctly argued that Proposition 140, better known […]
Court rules ‘dark money,’ medical debt initiatives will go before voters
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that two contested initiatives concerning “dark money” and medical debt will go before voters in November even though some petition circulators violated state law – but voters won’t get to weigh in on a third initiative that sought to make a multitude of changes to Arizona election laws.
Reforming election reform
Debate over HB2305 continues after opponents gather enough signatures to put it on the ballot
Groups opposing the state’s election reform law rejoiced on Oct. 29 when the secretary of state concluded the referendum against the law has enough signatures to appear on the 2014 ballot.
Brewer signs election overhaul bill
Gov. Jan Brewer signed a far-reaching elections bill that will help weed inactive voters from the Permanent Early Voter List, prohibit political organizations from collecting early ballots en masse and impose stricter legal standards on citizen initiatives.
Election bills face further problems in conference committee
Lawmakers attempted to push through a set of bogged-down election bills in a comprehensive 43-page amendment in conference committee Wednesday afternoon, but the committee was called off minutes after the amendment began circulating at the Capitol.
Capitol Quotes: April 12, 2013
This week's most outstanding quips, gibes and utterances from Arizona's political scene.
Election reform bills pass Senate
Three election-reform bills cleared the Arizona Senate, sending Sen. Michele Reagan’s trio of bills to the House despite objections from Democrats that the bills would infringe on voter rights and undo years of get-out-the vote efforts by activist groups.
Lawmakers crafting responses to election concerns
The large number of provisional ballots cast in November has two lawmakers so far proposing ways to address the issue. Rep. Chad Campbell, D-Phoenix, the House minority leader, said he is drafting legislation to form a committee to study election problems and recommend legislation.
Clamoring for a fix, politicians take aim at election reform
In the wake of Arizona’s 2012 general election, which was marred by large numbers of uncounted ballots holding up the decision in one congressional district race for 11 days, Secretary of State Ken Bennett said the election system isn’t broken. But he still wants to fix it.
Not going anywhere for a while?
Quelland was ordered from office by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission in May 2009 and his seat has been declared vacant, but his appeals process isn't anywhere near complete.
More than 130 Clean Elections candidates this year
More than 130 political candidates are using Arizona's Clean Elections public campaign finance system during this election season.
Capitol Quotes 4/16/2010
"I think they've probably exhausted everything." - Sen. Paula Aboud, a Democrat from Tucson, on the payday loan industry's multiple attempts to get legislative approval to continue operating past its June 30 sunset date.