Secretary of State Michele Reagan made a popular proposal with many on both sides of the aisle on Monday to make this the last time the state runs presidential primaries through the Presidential Preference Election (PPE) which costs the state nearly $10 million and bars one-third of voters from participating.
Unlike any other election in Arizona, the PPE precludes so-called “independent” voters from participating. Instead, only registered members of the state’s recognized political parties participating in the election may cast a ballot.
“Since day one, our mission has been to do everything we can to improve voter participation,” said Secretary Reagan. “We’ve asked ourselves if it really makes any sense for Arizona to spend nearly $10 million on an election where the largest block of voters cannot participate. We’re proposing the legislature repeal the PPE and return to the days where the parties ran their own presidential primaries.
“By returning control of national convention delegate section to the parties we are empowering them to decide for themselves the best way forward. Parties might conduct an internet election, a mail ballot open to all Arizonans or adopt an Iowa-style caucus. The PPE is about parties doing party business and they should do what they think is best for their members.”
In addition to the elimination of the election itself, the bill (HB2567) requests the legislature to supplement last year’s appropriation with $6 million dollars to cover the remaining state and local costs expenses related to the 2016 PPE.
“I agree, but for a different reason. That 1/3 of the electorate that is “disenfranchised” is the result of their own choosing and ditching state funded primaries would not change that. No one but party members should be allowed to choose the party’s candidate. But by eliminating the state funded election, the parties are free to choose their presidential candidates any way they want. If one party wants to have an election they can do it and pay for it at a much cheaper rate because they would not have to comply with all the silly regulations that accompany a tax payer funded election. If they want to use a caucus, they can do that. I suppose they could even draw straws or cut a deck of cards if they wanted to,” stated Jose Borrajero, a Republican Party activist.
The registration deadline for the Presidential Preference Election is February 22, with early voting to begin on February 24. For more registration information visit: www.azsos.gov.