By Howard Fischer, | Capitol Media Services/Ahwatukee Foothills News
A claim that lawmakers are giving voters a flawed explanation of a measure on the November ballot drew a skeptical reaction Friday from the judge hearing the case.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Coury did not dispute the argument by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission that the description crafted by the Republican-controlled Legislative Council of changes sought by Republican lawmakers does not contain certain elements about how the commission operates.
That includes not only a full list of the duties of the commission, created by voters in 1998, but also the procedures it must now follow when adopting rules.
But Coury said he’s not sure all that is necessary for the explanation of the measure that will appear in the brochure to be mailed to the homes of all 3.6 million registered voters ahead of the general election.
Commission attorney Joe Roth told the judge that state law requires the council to prepare an “impartial’’ analysis of all ballot measures.
