Arizona ballot descriptions set as lawsuits over publicity pamphlet continue

(The Center Square) – The ballot propositions descriptions and numbers have been solidified by the Arizona Secretary of State's office.

There are 11 measures that were referred to the ballot by the legislature and three constitutional amendment proposals that required petition signatures that are also slated to make the ballot.

The abortion access constitutional amendment will be known as Proposition 139, an elections amendment will be known as Proposition 140, and the minimum wage amendment will be known as Proposition 141.

The language used on the ballot is meant to be neutral in order to avoid swaying voters in any particular direction.

"My goal is to ensure every Arizonan has the information they need to make well-informed decisions at the ballot box," Secretary Adrian Fontes said in a statement on Monday. "By offering clear and detailed descriptions of each measure, we are empowering voters to actively participate in our democracy."

Still, there is legal action underway related to abortion access and open primary election amendments. The proponents for both efforts are suing over the descriptions that will be used in the publicity pamphlet, which is distributed to voters ahead of time to inform them of what will be on their ballot. The descriptions in the pamphlet are decided by the Republican-majority Legislative Council.

“We offered Legislative Council changes that provided clear and concise information for voters about what our initiative entails and its potential impacts. Such clarity is crucial for the publicity pamphlet, a publication meant to ensure voters receive the unbiased information necessary for an informed decision ahead of the election," Sarah Smallhouse, Chairman of the Make Elections Fair Committee, said in a statement earlier this month about the objection to the description.

"In contrast, the Legislative Council’s draft is both confusing and intentionally biased,” she added.

Meanwhile, Arizona for Abortion Access is suing over the term "unborn human being" in the pamphlet, according to Arizona Public Media .

Between the races to elect lawmakers, judicial retentions, and referrals, Arizonans are expected to have a lengthy ballot this November.