AZ: Resolution would make passing constitutional amendments more difficult

[RandySF]

A GOP lawmaker wants voters to amend the Arizona Constitution to make it harder for voters in the Grand Canyon State to ever amend the Constitution again, an idea that critics say would erode Arizonans’ rights to direct democracy.

The resolution would ask voters to increase the approval rate needed to pass constitutional amendments to 60%, up from a simple majority.

“Too many times we’ve all seen our constitution changed, sometimes good, mainly for the bad and I would like to see that changed,” Sen. Anthony Kern, who introduced the resolution, told the Senate Elections Committee on Monday.

Kern said he chose a 60% threshold after voters approved an amendment in the last election requiring 60% voter approval for initiatives that would raise taxes.

He added that a motivating factor in this resolution was all the so-called “dark money” that Kern said is coming from California for campaigns to change the Arizona Constitution, but he didn’t mention any specific campaigns or amendments. Ballot measure campaigns must report where their money comes from, but they are allowed to accept unlimited amounts of money from contributors — including corporations.

Hugo Polanco, a lobbyist for progressive activist group Living United for Change in Arizona, said lawmakers should reject efforts to make it more difficult for voters to pass measures at the ballot box.



https://www.azmirror.com/2023/01/25/resolution-would-make-passing-constitutional-amendments-more-difficult/

[Takket]

1. I'll say this again...

If rethugs anywhere are upset with dark money, Democrats will gladly team up with them on a Constitutional amendment to overturn citizens united.

Then the guys concern about dark money will go away.

If they aren’t calling for that, everything else is all bullshit to silence voters.

[bcool]

2. They're trying to do the same thing in Missouri (n/t)

[former9thward]

3. At least in states like AZ the voters have a chance to change the state constitution by referendum.

In some states, like NY, it does not exist at all.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

4. The GOP does not believe in democracy

[Javaman]

5. the dying days of the repukes.

they have cornered themselves with the most repulsive platform because they catered to the lowest of the lows to achieve their agenda, but at the same time, they know they have painted themselves into a corner.

with no real ability to attract sane voters, they know they have a no sum win. So they have to resort to the willful destruction of democracy to stay in power.