Senate Republicans OK bill on initiative signatures

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Republicans in the Arizona Senate on Wednesday rejected concerns from Democrats and gave initial approval to legislation that would ban paying petition circulators for each signature they gather to qualify a voter initiative for the ballot.

Democrats and voting rights activists say the proposal that already has passed the House is designed to make it harder to get citizen initiatives on the ballot. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce backs the measure, which it pushed after voters in November approved a minimum wage increase opposed by business groups.

Republicans turned away several proposed changes to House Bill 2404 that Democrats say would make it fairer. One would have extended the per-signature payment ban to candidates for office, including the governor and House and Senate members.

Republicans say the measure is needed to cut fraud in signature gathering, but provided no evidence of actual fraud during Senate committee hearings. In addition to banning per-signature payment, it makes it easier to challenge initiatives in court.

The measure is one of the most contentious of the Legislative session, and appears poised to become law. It is short a final Senate vote, House approval of minor Senate changes and Republican Gov. Doug Ducey’s signature.

Read more at AZ Capitol Times

Corrie O'Connor