By Matthew Holloway |
The Bipartisan Arizona Legislative Council has issued its approval to an analysis of pending measures for voters to consider, proposition and initiative numbers have been assigned, and in total there will be 11 ballot referrals and three petition-based initiatives up for public vote this November. As reported by The Center Square, several controversial measures are set to appear before Arizona voters including a wide-ranging border and immigration bill passed by the legislature as House concurrent Resolution 2060 the Secure the Border Act, now rechristened Prop. 314. If passed by voters, it would make illegal immigrants entering Arizona a state crime, and ramp up penalties for possession and distribution of fentanyl.
The outlet also pointed to the historically notable Prop. 137, which would scrap judicial retention elections entirely. The move would be significant considering that the admission of Arizona to the union as the 48th state was nearly derailed by the inclusion of judicial recall in the state constitution. Admission of Arizona was vetoed by President William H. Taft, and the Territorial legislature removed the provision, only for Arizonans to promptly restore it after statehood was approved. Arizona’s unique approach to regulating the judiciary was so vital that territorial leaders effectively did an end-run around the President to keep it.
The heavily reported abortion access ballot initiative was also included in the approved list after a lengthy debate over the language published in the “publicity pamphlet” to be distributed by the Secretary of State’s Office per the legislature. Democrat Rep. Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton of Tucson reportedly led a failed amendment push to alter the initiative’s language from “unborn human being” to “fetus.” Fellow Democrat Rep. Nancy Gutierrez claimed, “Fetus is the correct medical term.”
Supporters of the Arizona abortion rights ballot initiative have subsequently launched a lawsuit arguing that the term is politically charged according to ABC News.
Leisa Brug, manager of the opposing It Goes Too Far campaign, argued that the term is appropriate telling reporters in a statement, “It shouldn’t read like an advertisement for the amendment. It should provide voters with a clear understanding of what current law states and what the amendment would do if passed.”
The approved list of Propositions and Initiatives includes:
- Prop. 133 – primary elections; eligible candidates
- Prop. 134 – initiative; referendum; signatures; legislative districts
- Prop. 135 – governor; emergency; powers
- Prop. 136 – ballot measures; challenges
- Prop. 137 – judicial retention elections
- Prop. 138 – tipped workers; wages
- Prop. 311 – death benefit; assault; first responders.
- Prop. 312 – property tax; refund; nuisance enforcement.
- Prop. 313 – sex trafficking; child; natural life
- Prop. 314 – border; benefits; fentanyl; illegal entry
- Prop. 315 – rulemaking; legislative ratification; regulatory costs
- I-02-2024 – One Fair Wage Act
- I-05-2024 – Arizona Abortion Access Act
- I-14-2024 – Make Elections Fair Arizona Act
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
