The Arizona State Senate Judiciary Committee will hear SB 1218 on the afternoon of Jan. 31. The hearing convenes at 1:30 pm, but SB 1218 will probably not be brought up until about 3:30 pm. SB 1218, sec. 6, says that if an independent candidate tries and fails to get on the ballot, then he or she can’t be a write-in candidate either. The bill seems aimed at Nader supporters. Nader tried and failed to qualify as an independent. Later, he filed for write-ins and status and received 2,773 write-in votes. If this bill had been in effect, these votes would not have been counted.

If you wish to oppose SB 1218, you can fax the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, John Huppenthal, at 602-417-3157. His e-mail is jhuppenthal@azleg.state.az.us.