The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Hinderaker
American politics is deeply divided. Republicans and Democrats argue about almost everything — except one thing they seem to agree on: protecting their own electoral advantage. Recent redistricting battles in Texas, California, Maryland, and North Carolina make that clear. Arizona, unfortunately, is no exception.
In our state, more than 80% of congressional and legislative districts are considered “safe” for one party or the other. In those districts, the real contest happens in the primary. By the time November rolls around, the general election is often little more than a victory lap. Competitive elections — the lifeblood of a healthy democracy — are becoming increasingly rare.
That’s a strange outcome in a state like Arizona. More than one-third of registered voters are unaffiliated, and voters continue to leave both major parties in record numbers. Yet there isn’t a single unaffiliated member of the Arizona Legislature, nor a statewide office holder without a major-party label. Apparently, independence is popular — just not electable.
That isn’t a coincidence. Arizona’s election system puts up steep hurdles for anyone who dares to run outside the two-party club. In 2024, a Democrat seeking statewide office needed 6,556 petition signatures to get on the ballot. A Republican needed 7,077. An unaffiliated candidate? Try 42,303. That’s not a rounding error. Unaffiliated candidates also receive less public campaign financing and don’t enjoy the same access to voter rolls.
Enter the Arizona No Labels Party, which qualified as a recognized political party in 2024 and recently received approval from the Arizona Secretary of State to change its name to the Arizona Independent Party. The goal wasn’t clever rebranding. It was making elections more competitive and more focused on issues rather than party loyalty.
Party recognition removes many of the built-in disadvantages. Signature requirements become reasonable. Public campaign funding is available on equal terms. Candidates who want to talk about solutions — rather than party talking points — can actually appear on a general election ballot in November.
The name change was overwhelmingly supported by registered party members in a representative internal poll and reflects the party’s basic mission: less grievance-driven politics, more pragmatic problem-solving. Fewer labels, more ideas.
The reaction from the major parties was swift — and revealing. Both the Arizona Republican and Democratic parties, joined by the Republican National Committee and allied members of the Clean Elections Commission, filed lawsuits to block the name change. Their main complaint? It would be “unfair” because independent candidates might attract votes that would otherwise go to the major parties. Voter confusion was also cited, even though at least seven other states already have ballot-qualified parties with “independent” in their name.
In other words, competition is fine — unless it actually competes.
These lawsuits aren’t really about election integrity. They’re about preserving a system that rewards rigid partisanship and discourages anyone who tries to work outside it. A system where most elections are decided in low-turnout primaries, long before most people vote.
Arizona voters deserve better. Competitive elections produce accountability, innovation, and leaders who reflect the state as it actually is — diverse, independent-minded, and practical.
If you’re tired of destructive partisanship and elections that feel preordained, there is another option. The Arizona Independent Party aims to broaden participation, strengthen democracy, and make elections matter again — especially in November.
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