Will Knight and Jonathan Mosher react to the Second Chance Initiative meeting the Voter Signature Threshold for the November Ballot

Activists for four Citizen Ballot Initiatives submitted more than enough voter signatures to get their measures on the November Ballot.

The Second Chance Initiative, a ballot measure that would enable nonviolent prisoners to earn release credits towards leaving prison after serving 50 percent of their sentences, provide for sentencing reform for nonviolent offenders, and “establish a fund for victims of violent crime,” was one of them.

Two County Attorney Candidates, Will Knight running in Maricopa and Jonathan Mosher in Pima, offered their perspective on the Second Chance initiative.

Will Knight

“I believe in second chances because I needed one myself. I got a misdemeanor DUI when I was 18, and even though I took full responsibility for my actions from day one, the finger-wagging of the law-and-order crowd has followed me all the way into this Democratic primary campaign. To see 400,000 Arizonans supporting the Second Chances act — with signatures gathered during a pandemic — is a testament to a widespread agreement on common-sense sentencing reforms as one of the steps we must take now to begin the work of ending mass incarceration.”

Jonathan Mosher

“I am delighted Second Chances gathered enough signatures. My wife, Heather, and I gathered signatures for this initiative. What are we doing to ensure people are not worse off when they get out of prison? The answer is very little.”

“I am not blind to the dangers of serious crime. I have been fighting the worst sorts of crimes for 15 years, and I have managed, led, and trained other prosecutors for years.”

“We must stop treating all crime with the same heavy-handed approach. Almost everyone in prison will get out. If we offer no rehabilitation and pile on barriers to re-entry, we ensure re-victimization. We must break the cycle by promoting good behavior.”

“This initiative is not perfect, but neither is the status quo. As a committed reformer, I believe we increase crime if we focus solely on punishment.”

Please remember:

• Primary Election Day is on August 4, 2020, and General Election Day is on November 3. 2020. Please see the below graphic for all-important voting dates. 
• Please check your voter registration at vote.
• Register/sign up for the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) in Arizona or any state that allows early or absentee balloting and mail. Arizona residents can sign up at vote. 
• Arizona residents, mail your General Election ballot by October 28, 2020, for the November 3, 2020 election.
• Check-in with the Secretary of State’s office where you live to verify your mail-in ballot was received, processed, verified, and counted.
• Know the voter ID requirements in your state.
• If you can, support Clean Election Candidates with a small contribution.
• Also, please remember to stay informed on all the candidates and vote for all the offices on the ballot.
• Also, remember to research all the ballot initiatives, sign to get them on the ballot if you support the measure, and vote on them as well.