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Open Elections/Open Government
will fundamentally change and reform our election process by implementing an open primary system where the top two vote getters, regardless of political party, will advance to a run-off election.

This will encourage more qualified and independent-minded candidates to seek elected office – candidates guided by common sense instead of extreme ideology from either side of the political spectrum. Even more important, Open Elections/Open Government will open our election process up to more VOTERS.



in an election process that seems to yield little these days beyond partisan sniping and gridlock. Voters believe our elected officials are beholden not to them, but to the political party bosses and lobbyists. Increasingly, we see major issues go unaddressed. Real challenges are not met. More and more voters are turned off by our government institutions and those elected to lead them. Sadly, more and more highly qualified individuals who would serve us well in elected office choose not to run.

Most voters who feel our election system is broken believe so because it is closed to THEM. It isn’t about the people, but about power. It’s the partisan political bosses who set the agenda, and even handpick candidates to run. More and more voters believe our elections are closed affairs offering little choice—and few results. serve us well in elected office choose not to run.

That is why respected business and community leaders like you from across Arizona are coming together to place the Open Elections/Open Government Initiative before Arizona voters in 2012.

Open Elections/Open Government will do away with the partisan August Primary elections in Arizona in which only a limited number of voters now participate and are only permitted to cast ballots for the partisan candidates from one party. These elections will be replaced by an open primary where the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff.

Read the full text of the initiative to learn more and provide feedback.

WE HAVE HAD AN INCREDIBLE RESPONSE FROM YOU ARIZONA
WHAT YOU'RE SAYING...



  • If you need volunteers to help in any activity, please contact me. I have NEVER done anything like this. I am tired of being a complaining observer and need to be better educated and involved in our changing country!

    Kaye Colvin

  • Most of the political problems we face as a state are a direct result of the way we elect our politicians...Rather than complaining about our elected officials we need to fix the systemic problems that have created the status quo. The Arizona Open Government Initiative will level the playing field for independents and moderates of both parties and make our government more representative of the values of our voters.

    Ted Hinderaker

  • Hooray! Finally a solution to allow all voters a say in Arizona politics.

    Linda Maley

  • The politics of extremism are divisive and they harm our government, our communities, our tourism industry and our collective mental well-being. Open Government will significantly help to end the politics of extremism and will bring our community together -- I am proud to support this effort.

    Craig McPike

  • I support this effort.

    Joel Broder

  • Arizona has suffered greatly from the most radical elements of both major parties dictating our choices in Arizona elections. The Party moderates and the Independents have been effectively silenced. The Open Government Initiative offers a good alternative to our current condition.

    Sam

  • I see no reason why politicians of either party should feel entitled to a "safe district". A single primary would force them to re-apply each term for the privilege of serving, and increase participation by citizens because the process would become more open.

    Mary Melcher

  • Since moving to Arizona 9 years ago...I have been struck by the lack of openess in the government...The AzOpenGov movement will remedy that lack. I am all for it!

    Paula Shulak
    Mesa

  • Bipartisan committees of elected officials are unable to reach agreement and our economic and financial markets continue to flounder. We are a country without political leadership, but Open Elections/Government can change that and remove the partisanship that has put our our state and federal government into an unsustainable gridlock.

    Mike Farrar
    Scottsdale

  • Raised in Arizona in a Goldwater Republican family, I moved away for three decades and eventually became a Democrat. Neither party has my loyalty, and when I moved back here, I became an independent. I was shocked to be excluded from the primaries. Our state urgently needs reasonable candidates who can collaborate and compromise, because that is what governing is about. Arizona Open Government is a great idea.

    Hunter