Arizona may get rid of state funding of Presidential Primaries.

[coyotedelmar]

The House voted Wednesday to repeal the state-funded version of the presidential primary, though the move won’t affect this year’s election set for March.

House Speaker David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista, sponsored the measure that would repeal the state-funded Presidential Preference Election and reimburse more than $6 million to counties for the costs of administering the 2016 election.

The House passed House Bill 2567 on a 37-22 vote Wednesday. The proposal now moves to the Senate.

If passed, the repeal would leave the fate of future versions of the Presidential Preference Election to political parties that will need to raise their own funds to hold elections.

Arizona House votes to repeal Presidential Preference Election

Of course the bill has a ways to go still, but thought it raised an interesting point/discussion. Should a state pay the costs of holding a primary? Personally feel the answer is obvious (no), but wouldn't be surprised if the parties just left Arizona out of future presidential primaries. Much like taxes shouldn't be spent on stadiums, but daring to actually say no usually sees a team bolt ASAP for the next city or town willing to.

Didn't post it, as it'd be way too long of a quote, but thought one representative made a decent argument as well about how the money is needed and instead is being spent on elections 33% of Arizonans can't vote in. Granted, again, even if the parties paid for it they'd still not let independents vote in them.

So yeah, thought it brought up a bit of an interesting idea, be curious to see what happens if it makes it through the Senate and gets signed into law. Especially since I already can't vote in the primaries so it wouldn't effect me in 2020 either way . Plus, anytime the Arizona legislature doesn't something not completely insane, they deserve at least mention :2razz:.

 

[Lutherf]

It's not unreasonable to put the cost back on the parties. The AZ primary is kind of a waste anyway as it isn't held until the end of March and by that point the pickin's tend to be a might bit thin.

 

[akrunner88]

I think the state should have some responsibility of courting the costs to promote higher voter turnout. We could see reduced polling places and reduced workers to man the polls if the states don't fund the primaries.