Arizona State Representative Eddie Farnsworth (R-Gilbert) has introduced HB 2196. It repeals the 2013 omnibus election law bill, which had been HB 2305. Among other provisions, the 2013 law makes it extremely difficult for members of small qualified parties to get on their own party’s primary ballot. And it makes it literally impossible for minor party members to nominate write-in candidates in their own party’s primary. That move defies a U.S. District Court decision issued in 1980, won by the Socialist Workers Party. See this story.
The 2013 law had several other provisions, unrelated to minor parties, which seem designed to make it more difficult for voters to remain registered, and which made it more difficult for activists to help voters to vote absentee. These provisions were deemed so harmful to the Democratic Party and its allies that Democrats and associated groups gathered enough signatures to force a referendum vote on HB 2305. If the Farnsworth bill passes, presumably the 2014 popular vote on HG 2305 will be canceled. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the link.
At first glance this sounds great but it’s just GOP tricks. Farnsworth will put in place what he wants and others will do the same. This is only about thwarting the will of the people.
There is a concern that once this bill is passed and the law voided, the referendum attempting to overturn the law will be moot.
Then the legislature will re-pass the law but it will be too late for opponents to get the signatures needed to stay the law pending a November 2014 referendum.