By Jeremy Duda | Arizona Capitol Times
Secretary of State Michele Reagan is urging lawmakers to enact regulations on “petition blocking,” a practice in which people hire away needed signature-gatherers in order to undermine an initiative campaign.
The suggestion was made by state Elections Director Eric Spencer in a letter dismissing a complaint filed against a consulting firm and a petition-gathering firm that were engaging in the practice earlier this year.
Yes on AZ Solar, which briefly collected signatures for a proposed ballot measure meant to boost the solar energy industry, filed a complaint in May with the Secretary of State’s Office against Summit Consulting Group and Sign Here Petitions. Summit contracted with Sign Here to circulate non-binding petitions urging the Arizona Corporation Commission to impose demand charges on solar customers.
