Secretary of state agrees to scrap county-based signature requirements
A requirement dating back to statehood that statewide candidates collect signatures from at least three counties in order to qualify for the ballot will be a thing of the past starting in 2016.
Goddard will run for secretary of state
Former Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, who left office after two terms as the state’s top law enforcement official in January 2011, has considered running for several offices next year, including Corporation Commission and his old job at the Attorney General’s Office. But he said he decided to run for secretary of state because of his commitment to voter access and his opposition to an[...]
Small cadre of attorneys share spotlight where law and politics collide
Bush v. Gore is the ultimate example of politics and law intersecting and it shows how lawyers can affect an election in a dramatic way. But in Arizona, every election cycle brings its own set of controversies to be settled in the courtroom.
Election law opponents claim 146,000 signatures, say they will force referendum
The Protect Your Right to Vote committee today announced they had collected more than 146,000 signatures in their quest to refer the election reform bill, HB2305, to the ballot.
Napolitano’s years at Homeland Security pay dividends for ‘Arizona Mafia’
Being part of the massive entourage that Janet Napolitano brought with her from Arizona to the Beltway has been a great career move for some of her loyalists.
Backers of elections bill create committee to head off challenge
Supporters of a controversial elections bill formed a campaign committee to combat a referendum drive aimed at putting it on the 2014 ballot.
Protect Our Secret Ballot was filed with the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday to defend HB2305. Sen. Michele Reagan, who sponsored several bills that were later included in the omnibus elections, is the group’s chair.
Judge questions MCAO case against Horne; ruling expected on Thursday
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge expressed skepticism over the county attorney’s authority to pursue alleged campaign finance violations by Attorney General Tom Horne, putting the future of the case in question as the state’s top law enforcement officer and a key aide prepare to fight the charges in court.
DHS releasing illegal immigrants before sequester
A week before mandatory budget cuts go into effect across the government, the Department of Homeland Security has started releasing illegal immigrants being held in immigration jails across the country, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Tuesday.
Homeland Security secretary to visit Arizona border
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will be in southern Arizona this week to see security operations at the border.
Lawyer: County Attorney had no authority to investigate AG Horne
A lawyer representing Attorney General Tom Horne’s alleged co-conspirator in his campaign finance case is arguing the case should be dismissed because the Secretary of State’s Office did not have the authority to bypass Horne and send it directly to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Senate Republicans reach out to Dems
Incoming Republican leaders in the Senate have made overtures to the Democratic caucus, indicating they’re interested in working with the minority.