The cities of Phoenix and Tucson won their battle to keep as many people as possible from participating in their city elections as possible on Wednesday. Pima County Superior Court Judge James Marner ruled in favor of the cities and granted a permanent injunction from a state law that would have required them hold their elections in even-numbered years.
The Legislature passed the law in 2012 due to cost and low voter turnout concerns.
Marner found that the Legislature’s claims of concern for cost and voter turnout were lacking in credibility due to the fact that it turned around and passed another law that required some towns to hold elections in odd-numbered years.
The Goldwater Institute may appeal the decision. They would argue that Arizona has a vested interest in upholding the integrity of elections and it is not a local matter.
Marner’s ruling fell short of calling the 2012 law unconstitutional. The ruling does not apply to other municipalities, which must comply with the law.