Rural Arizona Action Joins Opportunity Arizona and other Organizations to Oppose SCR 1044
PHOENIX, AZ – This morning, Rural Arizona Action, alongside several prominent Arizona
organizations and community members, came together for a live-streamed press conference to express concerns and opposition to Senate Concurrent Resolution 1044 (SCR 1044). Access to photos.
SCR 1044, recently passed by both chambers of the Arizona Legislature, is headed to the ballot in November. This ballot measure would abolish judicial retention elections, eliminating the voters’ right to decide whether a judge should remain in office. Instead, judges, once appointed, would hold their positions for life without any accountability.
Madison Rock, Political and Policy Director at Rural Arizona Action, delivered remarks during the press conference articulating the community’s concerns over SCR 1044 and detailing its negative impacts on Arizona’s judicial system and democratic processes.
“SCR 1044 will have serious negative consequences for all Arizonans, from Yuma County to Maricopa County, to Mohave County,” said Madison Rock. “As Arizonans, it is crucial that we retain the power to hold judges accountable, especially when they make decisions based on political agendas rather than the rule of law.”
Madison highlighted that SCR 1044 is a disguised attempt to protect certain judges from accountability, particularly those whose decisions have sparked controversies. She pointed to justices like Clint Bolick and Kathryn King, both facing retention elections this November, and who recently voted to restore the controversial 19th-century abortion ban in April.
“Republican lawmakers argue that this resolution will keep the judiciary insulated from political extremes. However, what they fail to mention is that judges are political appointees,” Rock added. “Justices Bolick and King were appointed by former Governor Doug Ducey, who expanded the court from five to seven members. This expansion was unnecessary and diverted resources from other critical court-related needs.”
Retaining Justice Clint Bolick is of particular interest to his wife, Senator Shawnna Bolick, raising concerns about conflicts of interest. Arizona law defines substantial interest as any non-speculative pecuniary or proprietary interest, either direct or indirect, other than a remote interest. Senator Bolick’s relationship to Justice Bolick could qualify as a conflict of interests under these definitions, indicating a personal stake in the outcome of judicial retention elections.
“Judicial retention elections are crucial to our democracy. There is a middle ground between parties, and limited terms for judges is one supported by a large majority of Americans. We urge all Arizonans from all communities to oppose SCR 1044.”
Rural Arizona Action, alongside Opportunity Arizona and other organizations, will continue to advocate for the rights of Arizonans. We will not be silenced, and we will make sure voters remember in November.
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