A new court decision Thursday has left backers of a ban on "dark money'' even further from their goal of getting the measure on the ballot.

Several organizations are asking the Arizona Supreme Court to void a law they say will make it more difficult for groups like theirs to put initiatives on the ballot.

The consultant who has helped with most of the recent initiative drives testified Wednesday a new state law will impair the ability of Arizonans to craft their own laws.

Activists are attempting to repeal a trio of laws approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor this year. But pulling off a referendum, known colloquially as a “citizens’ veto,” isn’t easy.

Gov. Doug Ducey today signed a new law that even the head of his own Republican Party boasts would do pretty much what Democrat foes charged was the goal all along.

Not content to make gathering signatures more difficult, Republican lawmakers are now moving to impose new procedural requirements on voters who want to propose their own laws.

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.

The referendum drive against an elections bill passed by the Legislature in June will have a tough standard to meet if it goes to court. Referendums in Arizona are subject to a judicial standard known as strict compliance, which requires ...