Referenda Petitions Being Prepared To Keep The “P” In PEVL, Maintain Ballot Curing

An Arizona progressive group announced today that they are preparing petitions to refer two Ducey-signed laws that would make it more difficult for Arizonans to vote and make sure their ballots are counted.

“Arizona Deserves Better” has been a registered PAC since 2019, with Janie Hydrick and Eric Kramer as its officers. Kramer indicates that attorneys are finalizing petitions and staff is being hired. He posted his update on the progressive Daily Kos site, seeking volunteers and donations.

The two separate petitions would be for SB1485 and SB1003. The first adds a second process to remove voters from the Permanent Early Voting List (“PEVL”) if they fail to vote in four consecutive elections – and the latter shortens the “curing” period for early ballots when the voter failed to sign the return envelope.

Once the Legislature ends their regular session, the group will have 90 days to collect 118,823 valid signatures to place the law(s) on the November 2022 ballot. The laws would not go into effect unless Arizona voters approve of what the lawmakers passed (and Gov. Ducey signed into law). (Less than half of the states give citizens the right to effectively veto a legislative/Governor law.)