The descriptions and numbers of the ballot propositions were finalized by the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.
There are 11 bills that have been put to the vote by the Legislature, and three constitutional amendments that require petition signatures that are also scheduled to be put to the vote.
The abortion access constitutional amendment would be known as Proposition 139, the elections amendment would be known as Proposition 140, and the minimum wage amendment would be known as Proposition 141.
The language on the ballot will be neutral to avoid biasing voters in any particular direction.
“My goal is to ensure all Arizonans have the information they need to make an informed decision at the ballot box,” Attorney General Adrian Fontes said in a statement Monday. “By providing clear, detailed explanations for each bill, we are empowering voters to be active participants in our democracy.”
Still, legal action is underway related to the abortion access and open primary amendments. Proponents of both initiatives are suing over the wording used in promotional pamphlets distributed to voters to let them know in advance what will appear on the ballot. The wording of the pamphlets is decided by the Republican-majority Legislative Council.
“We proposed changes to the Legislative Assembly that would provide clear and concise information to voters about what our initiative means and how it will affect them. Such clarity is critical for information pamphlets to ensure voters receive the unbiased information they need to make an informed decision before the election,” Election Integrity Commission chair Sarah Smallhouse said in a statement earlier this month about the challenge to the clarification.
“In contrast, the Legislative Council’s draft is confusing and deliberately biased,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Abortion Access Coalition is suing over the pamphlet’s use of the word “fetus.” Arizona Public Media.
With legislative elections, judge retentions and referral fights, Arizonans are expected to experience a lengthy voting session in November.
