The citizen initiative process has been in place since Arizona’s founding. The first initiative granted women the right to vote, passing by a more than 2 to 1 margin. Since then, Arizonans from all sides of the political spectrum have utilized the initiative process to have a direct voice in the laws that govern our state. The citizen initiative process has led to raising the minimum wage, legalizing marijuana, and demanding special interests disclose their donors. A strong direct democracy ensures a government that is accountable, equitable, and fair for all people.
Proposition 136 would undermine the citizen initiative process by allowing special interests, corporate lobbyists, and the state legislature to bring costly litigation against a citizen petition before it even has a chance to reach the voters.
The ballot initiative process is already subject to several checks and balances to ensure citizen-led measures are legal. These include a single subject rule, legislative override, and a veto referendum, which already allow challenges to a citizen-led initiative. Additionally, all initiatives undergo rigorous review by the Arizona Legislative Council, a fiscal analysis by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, and are subject to constitutional challenge if they pass.
Proposition 136 allows special interests to abuse the courts to file costly litigation to prevent Arizonans from having a direct say in our democracy. We urge voters to reject this legislative power grab. A NO vote ensures Arizonans continue to have a direct voice in our state laws and Constitution.
