arizona politics

Arizona is a state that allows citizen ballot initiatives. This year there will be 9 initiatives on the ballot (including 1 from the governor's office and 1 from the state legislator).

2 years ago, Arizona became the first state to defeat a "marriage amendment." (as I commented on before). Gay marriage had already been made illegal in state statutes in 1996 and then confirmed as constitutional by the state supreme court. But, in 2006 a ballot was proposed to change the Arizona constitution to allow the rights and benefits of marriage to be given only to one man and one woman who were married (so, no domestic partner benefits - which some cities provide right now- for hetero couples, either).

Now, that proposal to amend the Arizona constitution is back on the ballot, with some words changed. I am registered and will be voting this time - and I hope it can be defeated again.

Another ballot initiative - the only one offered by the state legislator - also reveals much about Arizona politics. Apparently, many legislators do not like the citizen initiatives because they want all the law-making power. In this spirit, a couple legislators got an initiative on the ballot that proposes: in order for a ballot initiative that changes taxes or spending to pass, a majority of people must vote yes for it. Now, this is not 51% of people who voted in the election, or even 51% of registered voters. Nope, it would have to be 51% of people who are eligible to register to vote, whether they are registered or not.

Like so many of the initiatives, this one is cleverly (or deceptively) entitled "Majority Rules - let the people decide" - and is described briefly as "Any initiative that imposes additional taxes or spending, in order to pass, would require support from a majority of qualified electors (not just those voting)."

Of course, the national election is important and has been getting all the spot light so far, but as November gets closer, the states will be where all the action is.