The recall election unseating the Arizona Senate president was the direct result of the open election process used in recall elections. Sen. Russell Pearce admitted as much in the Star's story on Nov. 9, saying his opponent "could not win a (Republican) primary."
Elections for the Arizona Legislature are partisan, with partisan primaries. Unlike a partisan primary, the recall election was open to all candidates, not just to those sanctioned by the political parties. Since it was open to all voters, it resulted in a doubling of voter turnout compared with the partisan primary election of 2010. Because of a greater level of voter participation, candidates were forced to outline their positions, not just on the more ideologically driven issues but on broader issues of concern to voters such as education, jobs and health care.
Can this process become a permanent part of the Arizona landscape? Yes, with the passage of the Open Elections/Open Government Act that we are working to put before Arizona voters in 2012.
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The Open Elections/Open Government Act would do away with the current primary elections in Arizona in which only a limited number of voters participate and are only permitted to cast ballots for the partisan candidates from one party. In its place there would be a primary election open to all voters and all candidates. The top two candidates from that election - regardless of political party-would then face off in the November general election.
No longer would a primary election exist in which Democrats and Republicans choose nominees, while Independent voters are largely left out. All voters, regardless of their political party, would be free to cast their ballot for the candidate of their choice.
Since all candidates would compete against each other in the open primary seeking the support of Democrats, Republicans and independent voters, candidates would be forced to address issues of importance to all, not just those in their respective parties.
The result would be that every voter would be permitted to vote in every election. Voters would have real choices, with candidates who better represent all the people of Arizona rather than just the political parties and extreme views of narrow interests. More open-minded candidates guided by common sense, instead of extreme ideology from either side of the political spectrum, would run for office.
This citizen initiative will require approval by a majority of voters casting a ballot next November. To place the initiative on the ballot, the signatures of more than 250,000 Arizona voters will be required. We already have more than 70,000 signatures toward this goal.
The recall election of the Senate president starkly illustrates just how "open elections" work. This event illustrates the tremendous potential of the Open Elections/Open Government initiative, leading to real solutions to critical issues that hyperpartisanship currently inhibits. Adoption of an Arizona initiative now under way to introduce an open elections system (already present in almost all Arizona cities and towns) would confirm and illustrate a recent Rocky Mountain Poll, showing Arizona to be, at its core, a far more moderate state than generally perceived.
Paul Johnson is the former mayor of Phoenix. Si Schorr is a Tucson attorney and former chair of the Arizona State Transportation Board. They are chair and a co-chair of a Open Elections/Open Government committee working to put the initiative on the ballot.