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House approves crackdown on citizen initiatives
The Arizona House late Thursday night approved a package of measures that would make it harder for citizens to propose their own laws via the initiative process, and make it easier for lawmakers to repeal or change those voter-approved laws.
Voter Protection Act raises stakes for SB1516 referendum
If organizers of a citizen referendum against SB1516 fail to convince voters to reject the broad-based campaign finance overhaul, the consequences could be far worse for them than the passage of laws they consider detrimental to Arizona’s future.
Initiative, referendum could raise complex legal questions
The unique circumstances of a proposed citizen initiative to strengthen the Clean Elections system and the ways it may conflict with a campaign finance law overhaul passed by the Legislature this year could force the courts to unravel a series of complicated issues that would be the legal equivalent of figuring out a Rubik’s cube.
Ducey signs bill that undermines campaign finance referendum
Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill that creates a major roadblock for opponents of a new campaign finance law on “dark money” organizations who hope to get the law repealed via citizen referendum.
K-12 settlement campaign could raise millions
Anyone wondering how the special election campaign for Proposition 123, the agreement to settle the long-running K-12 funding lawsuit, will shape up should look to 2010 for guidance.
Bill making it tougher to recall elected officials sent to governor
The House on April 1 gave final approval to HB2407, which demands strict compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for referendum and recall efforts – or else a judge may toss out the voter-driven effort.
Governor signs bill to repeal 2013 election reform law, kills referendum
It's official: Arizonans won't get the last word on a series of controversial changes in state election law. Without comment, Gov. Jan Brewer signed legislation Thursday to repeal the 2013 law. More to the point, by repealing the law the governor killed the referendum drive that had held up enactment until the voters made the final decision.
House panel OKs repeal of referendum-targeted elections law
A House committee gave preliminary approval on Jan. 30 to a bill repealing last year’s controversial elections law, HB2305, despite objections from opponents of the law who gathered more than 110,000 signatures to put it on hold until voters weigh in during the 2014 election.
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.
Election law referendum organizers say they’re ‘on track,’ opponents skeptical
The deadline is approaching fast but organizers of a citizen referendum drive against a wide-ranging elections bill say they’re on track to get enough signatures to put HB2305 on the 2014 ballot.
Legislative attorney: Referendum valid
A legal opinion Legislative Council issued late last month to Ugenti concluded that the portion of the health care BRB (Laws 2013, First Special Session, Chapter 10) that authorizes the AHCCCS director to administer and collect a hospital assessment is subject to the Constitution’s referendum powers “because it provides monies to meet the costs of functions the agency does not currently have.[...]
Fit to be tied: Republican lawmakers say Prop. 105 is too restrictive
The chorus of lawmakers calling for an overhaul of the Voter Protection Act quieted to a low murmur in 2011, but supporters say the dormant issue will be back on the Legislature’s agenda next year.
Several Republican legislators said they will revive their plans to change Proposition 105, the 1998 ballot measure that strictly limits the Legislature’s ability to tamper with voter-appro[...]
