By Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | The Republic
Tempe’s ballot measure to curb “dark money” in elections may not be dead yet, despite the governor signing a bill into law that would appear to quash the will of 91 percent of Tempe voters.
In March, Tempe voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that requires political nonprofits to disclose financial backers if spending exceeds $1,000 in municipal elections. This type of spending, referred to as “dark money,” often goes toward political ads, robocalls and other efforts to sway elections without any requirements to disclose donors.
But House Bill 2153, which Gov. Doug Ducey signed in early April, outlawed cities from enforcing such campaign-finance reforms.
Ducey, a major benefactor of dark money, has taken the stance that it is an issue of free speech.
“The governor’s view is that individuals have the First Amendment right to free speech without the fear of intimidation,” Daniel Scarpinato, Ducey’s spokesman, said.
5 ways this could go.
