The Independent View: AZ Bill to Open Presidential Preference Election

Arizona Rep. Martin Quezada (D-13th District) introduced SB 1057 calling on the Legislature to Open the Presidential Primaries. Currently, approximately a Third of Arizona Voters are Not Affiliated with a Party.

Independent Activists Dennis Flaherty and Al Bell have Written Letters to the Newly Elected Secretary of State and U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema urging they support the Bill. In addition, the Independent Voting Eyes on 2020 Campaign will continue to Pressure Party Chairs to Open the 2020 Presidential Primary in Arizona.

Current State Law prevents Independents from Voting in the Presidential Preference Election. Quezada’s Bill, SB 1057, would change the Presidential Preference Election to a Semi-Closed Election:

A presidential preference election shall be held on the Tuesday immediately following March 15 of each year in which the President of the United States is elected to give qualified electors the opportunity either to express their preference for the presidential candidate of the political party indicated as their preference by the record of their registration or, for electors who are registered without a political party designation, to express their preference for the PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the political party they choose, as indicated by their selection of that political party's ballot at this election. No other election may appear on the same ballot as the presidential preference election.

Quezada said the Historically Long Lines during the Last Presidential Preference Election in 2016 revealed Flaws with the Closed Primary system. “We had many independent voters showing up at the polls, believing they could cast a vote for president – which a lot think is the most important vote they can cast – and they weren't able to,” he said.

Former Republican State Senator Stan Barnes Sponsored the Legislation that established the Current Presidential Preference system in 1995. He said the Goal of the Legislation at the time was to boost Arizona’s Influence on the National Stage, making Arizona the “New Hampshire of the West.”

Although that Vision wasn’t fully realized, Barnes said he Favors the Closed Primary system. “Republicans want a Republican nominee and Democrats want a Democratic nominee. Generally, they don't want non-partisans intruding on that dynamic,” he said. “There is a fear among partisans that independents will dilute the process or change the process in a way that is out of their control.” Barnes said the system is still inclusive because any voter who wishes to participate in the Presidential Preference Election can register with a party.

Quezada argues this New system would Lead to Candidates that Appeal to a Broader segment of the Electorate, not just their Party Base. “Why not require our candidates to speak to more people, to get more support for their ideas and concepts? I think it’s a good thing,” he said.

Quezada has introduced similar Legislation before and it hasn’t succeeded, but he said the Governor has Signaled Support for the Idea in the past.

Quezada said he’s Open to the Idea of moving up Arizona’s Primary Date, which could Elevate the State’s importance in the Presidential Sweepstakes and draw more Visits from Contenders, but SB 1057 does Not Change the Timing of the Election. “I think those are two separate discussions,” he said.