This bill would require Arizona Independent Party to change its name — again

Elections

Bipartisan bill to force Arizona Independent Party name change passes Senate committee

Wayne Schutsky

A bill that would force the newly-named Arizona Independent Party to change its moniker is advancing through the Arizona Legislature with bipartisan support.

The Arizona Independent Party could be forced to change its name for a second time in three months.

The rebrand would happen if lawmakers at the state Capitol successfully pass a bill that would bar political parties from using words such as "independent," non-affiliated" and "no preference" in their names.

If adopted, the legislation would apply retroactively to December, when the former No Label Party rebranded and state secretary Adrian Fontes greenlit the name change to the Arizona Independent Party.

Hugh Lytle, an Arizona Independent Party candidate for governor, is on the frontlines of the bill's opposition. He said state lawmakers' time is better spent on other policies.

“If we are gonna do emergency measures, why not do them for ICE raids? Why not do them for reductions in our water supply that are coming? Why not do them for education reform? And why not do them for affordability and housing?" Lytle said at a press conference Monday.

Independent Party Chair Paul Johnson believes the bill is part of a bipartisan ploy to elections are held with only the two major parties.

“This bill is a gift because it proves our point that the two-party system is more interested in protecting their monopoly than problem solving," Johnson said.

Critics warn the new party name could confuse the roughly one-third of Arizona voters unregistered with any political party.