1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I understand that our state legislature is attempting to bypass expected gubernatorial vetos of unpopular and regressive legislation by directing misleading and multi-subject legislation to voters as ballot measures. This is not only underhanded, it violates Arizona law passed by our own legislature. I am writing because this legislature’s attempt to mislead voters with a ballot measure titled as though it deals only with transgender individuals’ ability to play sports on teams that align with their gender identity actually includes provisions that would change our state constitution to restrict nonathletes’ access to restrooms and other school facilities as well. This attempt to deprive a whole class of people of their rights is outrageous, and doing so through subterfuge is unlawful. While religious and civil rights organizations are fighting this illegal behavior by the Arizona legislature in court, I don’t believe that the Secretary of State’s office is required to certify ballot measures that provide misleading titles or statements about their legal effect. Moreover, I believe that your office has a duty to decline to certify ballot measures that violate the single subject requirement. If you believe that your office lacks the authority to decline certification absent a court’s decision, I ask that you file a friend of the court brief laying out your opinion regarding (1) the accuracy of the title in HCR 2003 and (2) whether HCR 2003 in fact deals with one or more than one subjects. Voters deserve accurate information and consideration of one subject at a time, especially when modification of our constitution to restrict Arizonans’ rights are on the line. Thank you for your consideration and for your work on behalf of all Arizonans.