After supporters failed to gather enough signatures to repeal Arizona's new school choice law, it went into effect on Sept. 30.
According to a statement from Arizona Secretary Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, the referendum on the matter will not qualify for the ballot for the 2024 general election.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican who signed the law over the summer, said: “Public education is about educating the public. Now every child in Arizona will have access to a high-quality school of their choice.”
The secretaries of state verify whether referendum proposals meet certain standards by reviewing signatures.
Several factors may have contributed to Hobbs' announcement, including the high number of petitions returned in the final hours, days, and weeks of the campaign, according to Save Our Schools.
“We are confident we would have succeeded had Governor Ducey not waited 10 days to sign the bill, robbing Arizona voters of crucial time to sign the petition,” it said.
There had been questions raised about some signatures, according to the Goldwater Institute, but its failure to make the ballot would vindicate parents who have clamoured for educational choice.
3 October 2022
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