Senate Continuing Resolution (SCR) 1015 is the latest effort by Republicans to eviscerate the rights of Arizonans to use the citizen initiative process to pass laws when the legislature refuses to act. Recent initiatives have raised the minimum wage and outlawed dirty money in political campaigns.
For the past 150 years, to get an initiative on the ballot, citizens needed to collect a valid number of signatures equal to 10% (15% for constitutional amendments) of the statewide votes cast in the last election for Governor. SCR 1015 would replace that calculation and require that the percentage thresholds be met in each of Arizona’s 30 Legislative Districts thereby giving a single legislative district the power to kill any initiative. Republicans disingenuously argue that SCR 1015 would assure that all counties have a say in what goes on the ballot. This argument is misleading because ALL registered voters get to vote on ballot measures. Protect your direct democracy rights by voting no on SCR 1015!
Cindy Bordelon, retired lawyer and former board member of a chapter of the League of Women Voters.
Downtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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