Lots of our readers and social media followers have reached out with the same election question: Where can I learn about the propositions on this year's ballot?
We have a guide to all 13 of them on our website, but I'm also going to highlight one each day for you here in the newsletter.
Today's ballot measure is Proposition 133, which was referred to the ballot by the Republican-majority Legislature, not the public.
Overview: Elections run in phases, and this proposal would alter how partisan elections run their primary phase. This change would require all recognized political parties to hold a primary election for every partisan position—nearly every race besides seats on city councils and school boards.
The amendment would grant political parties the authority to put one candidate on the ballot for every qualifying race, meaning candidates wouldn’t need petition signatures from voters, only the blessing of party leaders. The move would shift significant power away from the general public—particularly independents, which make up one-third of Arizonans—in favor of political parties.
It would also give an outsized voice, and potentially undue burden, to smaller parties recognized by the state. The Libertarian, Green, and No Labels parties—less than 2% of voters collectively—would be required to nominate candidates for every partisan race, from US President to precinct constables. Independent voters, on the other hand, would have no saved spot for them on the ballot, as there is no recognized Independent Party in Arizona.
TL;DR: Makes partisan primaries a requirement—basically a ban on ranked-choice voting—and lets parties nominate candidates instead of candidates collecting signatures to qualify for the ballot.
