Arizona Rejected Primary Reform in 2024, But Voters Don't Support the Status Quo Either

Arizona Government
Photo by Nils Huenerfuerst on Unsplash
Published: 12 Nov, 2024
Updated: 18 Jun, 2025
4 min read

Photo by Nils Huenerfuerst on Unsplash.

 

Election Day was mostly a rough night for election reformers across the board, from primary reform to new voting methods to gerrymandering. However, it would be a mistake to suggest that this means voters are okay with the status quo.

Especially, when US adults have overwhelmingly voiced their frustrations and disapproval with a system that gives them the same two options every election cycle.

In fact, when Arizona voters were given a chance to enshrine the partisan-controlled system currently in place in the state constitution, they rejected the proposal by nearly the same margin as nonpartisan reform.

Arizona's Proposition 133 would have done 3 things:

One, it required partisan primaries across the state for partisan offices. Two, it banned the use of all-candidate and all-voter nonpartisan primaries. Three, it ensured the state's direct primary law superseded local charters.

In other words, local jurisdictions would not have been allowed to decide what election systems work best for their communities. 

Prop 133 was one of several initiatives referred to the ballot by the Arizona Legislature. It was overwhelmingly supported by the Republican majority, as well as GOP-aligned groups like the Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AFEC).

IVP Donate

The AFEC led lawsuits against Proposition 140 to end taxpayer-funded party primaries. 

In support of Prop 133, State Rep. Alexander Kolodin said:

"Most voters are not centrist. Most voters are left, or most voters are right. And so, by structuring a system where all we can get out of it is moderates, nobody gets their first choice."

The claim is certainly disputable, but it is also a paradoxical statement. The argument made by election reformers is for a system that gives voters an equal voice and more choice in the process. 

If Kolodin believes the outcome of this would lead to less ideologically rigid elected officials, then perhaps that is actually what voters want. It also tells on the current system, because party primaries do force specific types of candidates on voters.

In opposition to Prop 133, Democratic State Sen. Priya Sundareshan said:

"With this, we are preempting the ability of local, political subdivisions from holding elections in a certain format that they may see fit for their own political locality."

She added, "What we should be doing is allowing the laboratories of democracy to participate as the laboratories of democracy."

Let Us Vote : Sign Now!

Voters rejected Proposition 133 with nearly 58% of the vote. This is an overwhelming majority of Arizonans who agree that the state should not shut down prospects for reform.

So Why Did Prop 140 Fail?

Prop 140 may have been similarly rejected because of an ambiguity surrounding it. The measure called for the end to taxpayer-funded party primaries, including in presidential preference elections if parties wanted to keep them closed.

This is pretty cut and dry. The proposal demanded equal access to elections for all voters and candidates, regardless of party. However, it didn't offer a specific replacement. 

And this is where the ambiguity exists.

The measure took a novel approach in that it called for a nonpartisan primary system but allowed state lawmakers and/or the secretary of state to assign the type of system used.

This ensured more seats at the table to discuss and decide the future of elections, as long as all voters and candidates were treated equally. It also meant lawmakers couldn't say they were snubbed in the decision process.

That said, it didn't give voters a specific systemic solution to support. It was unclear to voters what elections would look like and those who benefit from the status quo capitalized on any voter confusion that existed.

This included creating their own confusion by suggesting the measure was something it wasn't.

More Choice for San Diego

Arizona voters appear open to their cities, counties, and their state to be laboratories for fairer, more accountable, and more representative elections. Fundamental to change is understanding how to make this happen.

The importance of a strong grassroots and/or voter education campaign cannot be understated. Voters need to understand the systemic mechanisms that incentivize putting party loyalty above the needs of voters.

This, in turn, can bolster their desire and enthusiasm for specific reform proposals to bring more voice and more choice to elections. But the cart cannot be placed before the horse. 

And perhaps this is the lesson reformers will take away from the 2024 election cycle. 

The path to reform is not an easy one. It can take years to build up the necessary grassroots movement in each state to create change. It requires dedication and a commitment to voter education -- along with patience

Related articles

Political cartoon of a person representing partisanship, unions, the Democratic Party, and Special Interests taking a bite out of New York.
Mamdani, Lander, and Other Partisan Extremists Just Took a Bite Out of NYC’s Democracy
The partisans, unions, and party bosses have won again. Independents, veterans, working people, young people and democracy have lost again. ...
18 Jul, 2025
-
2 min read
Picture of PA capitol building with a no vote sign in front of it.
Taxed But Silenced: Pennsylvania Independents Sue for Right to Vote
Four independent voters, including well-known journalist Michael Smerconish and political reform advocate David Thornburgh, are suing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, arguing that its closed primary system violates their constitutional rights under the state’s Free and Equal Elections Clause....
15 Jul, 2025
-
3 min read
vote here sign with people standing in line to vote.
Why Are Democrats in DC Failing to Implement an Initiative Passed by 73% of Voters?
Back in November, DC voters overwhelmingly approved Initiative 83, a measure that called for semi-open primaries and ranked choice voting (RCV) in all city elections. The problem – the DC City Council has yet to fully fund it....
15 Jul, 2025
-
4 min read

Latest articles

Trump Trush Social Post on Colbert
Will Politics Kill Late Night TV?
Stephen Colbert’s Late Show is ending after nearly a decade at the top of the ratings. CBS insists t...
18 Jul, 2025
-
3 min read
Ronald Reagan
Just Say No: The Political Hit Job That Killed Cannabis
As cannabis use became more common in the late 1970s, the backlash grew even stronger. A political and religious conservative resurgence was underway after years of liberal ascendancy. That wave would soon bring former California Governor Ronald Reagan to the White House....
18 Jul, 2025
-
8 min read
Political cartoon of a person representing partisanship, unions, the Democratic Party, and Special Interests taking a bite out of New York.
Mamdani, Lander, and Other Partisan Extremists Just Took a Bite Out of NYC’s Democracy
The partisans, unions, and party bosses have won again. Independents, veterans, working people, young people and democracy have lost again. ...
18 Jul, 2025
-
2 min read