Arizona Senator Jake Hoffman to Investigate Debate Shutout

Arizona Senator Jake Hoffman (R-LD15), chairman of the Senate Government Committee, issued a letter to the state’s Clean Elections Commission stating that the recently adopted “1% rule” violates Proposition 306. The new rule mandates that candidates earn at least 1% of the total primary ballots cast to qualify for debate inclusion. Voters approved Proposition 306 in 2018, requiring the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) to review and approve rule changes.

Charman Hoffman wrote, in part, “At best, the Clean Elections Commission seems to be creatively, yet intentionally, blocking some candidates from participating in the debate, not to mention subverting the will of the voters to require proper transparency in agency actions through the Administrative Procedures Act. At worst, the taxpayer funded Commission has knowingly broken the law. Either action offends the non-partisan intent of the Clean Elections Act. Voters deserve an explanation from the Commission as to why the intent, or the actual text, of the voter-approved Prop 306 was ignored by the Commission.”

Hoffman highlighted rules already in place to limit debate participation based on previously approved criteria, including, for primaries, independent candidates, candidates with no party affiliation, unrecognized party candidates, and write-in candidates for both the primary and general elections. He requested a formal response from the Commission explaining why it ignored the intent and text of Prop 306 no later than September 12th, 2024.

The letter did not specify consequences for failure to follow the Proposition’s requirements, failing to reply to the Committee, or the remedy sought for the debate exclusions.