Assuming the Arizona initiative for a top-two open primary has enough signatures, it will be on the November 2012 Arizona ballot this way: Proposition _ (the number has not yet been assigned). Proposed Amendment to the Constitution by the Initiative Relating to Direct Primary Election Law. Replaces the Current Party Primary Election with a “Top-Two” Primary Election in which All the Voters, Regardless of Party Affiliation, Vote in a Single, Combined Primary and the Top Two Vote-Getters for Each Seat Advance to the General Election.”

This description of the measure is fair to both the proponents and the opponents. It is far more fair than the California initiative wording, which was on the ballot as “Primaries. Increases Participation in Primary Elections.”

The Goldwater Institute recently declared that it opposes the Arizona initiative, joining the Arizona League of Women Voters as an opponent. Thanks to Warren Severin for the news about the ballot description.

Seth Moulton, an independent with good credentials who considered whether to become an independent candidate for U.S. House in Massachusetts this year, announced on July 26 that he will not run. See this story. The only reason he ever considered running is that the Democratic incumbent, who is running for re-election, has had some embarrassing revelations about himself made public recently. The district is strongly Democratic.

On July 26, the Oklahoma Elections Board held its regular lottery to determine the order of parties on the November ballot. See this story. Democrats will appear first, followed by Republicans and then Americans Elect. However, it is still possible the Libertarian Party will be added to the ballot. Currently, all sides are waiting for the U.S. District Court Judge to decide whether to let the Libertarian Party amend its complaint to add a specific point that requiring a newly-qualifying party to nominate by primary violates the U.S. Constitution, if the timing of that primary is such that the deadline must be as early as March 1.