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

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

Sen. T.J. Shope’s bill would ban new political parties from using the word “independent” in their name, because the term has long been used in Arizona to describe voters with no party affiliation.

“Now we have an entity that is most definitely a political party attempting to co-opt the name independent,” Shope (R-Coolidge) said, referring to the Arizona Independent Party.

The party, formerly the No Labels Party in Arizona, changed its name last year after former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson took over last year. Shope’s bill would apply retroactively, meaning Johnson and the Independent Party would be forced to change their name yet again if the legislation is signed into law.

But Anthony Ramirez, the Independent Party’s attorney, claimed the bill is just an attempt by Republicans and Democrats to shut out third party competition.

“This is about cartel protection,” Ramirez told lawmakers before repeating the party’s threats to sue if the legislation becomes law. “Cartel protection is when those already in power use the laws to shield themselves from lawful competition instead of competing for voters.”

But it’s not just Republicans and Democrats concerned about the Arizona Independent Party’s name change.

The Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, the state’s voter education agency, is challenging the name change in court over concerns it will mislead voters. The Arizona Republican and Democratic parties also joined that suit.

Many of the state’s county election officials want to stop the name change, too.

Pinal County Recorder Dana Lewis told lawmakers that using words like ‘independent’ in party names will inevitably confuse some voters.

For instance, she said voters intending to register as an “independent,” or no party affiliation, may accidentally select an Arizona Independent Party option, not realizing they are joining an organized party.

That would then impact their ability to select a Republican or Democratic ballot during the primary election, which is allowed for unaffiliated voters but not those registered with a third party like the Arizona Independent Party.

“My interest is ensuring the orderly, secure, security and accurate administration of elections,” Lewis said. “I want to also ensure that voters can effectively register and vote in accordance with their actual preferences.”

Johnson and other Arizona Independent Party members have long denied the allegations that the name would create confusion and claimed they want to create a space for voters and candidates disenchanted by the major parties.

“This bill is not about ideology, it's about insulation,” Ramirez, the party’s attorney said. “Both parties benefit from the current structure. Both face risk when unaffiliated voters organize under a recognizable banner.”

Shope’s bill passed out of the Senate’s Judiciary and Elections Committee on a 7-0 vote.

The legislation would also ban the use of terms like “no party,” “no preference,” and “party not designated” in political party names.