Frequently Asked Questions about SB1516 and our efforts to defeat it.

1.
What is “dark money?”
Dark money refers to undisclosed political spending meant to influence voters and
elected officials. By funneling money through social welfare nonprofits ­ who don’t have
to disclose their donors ­ corporations, individuals, and unions can spend unlimited sums
anonymously. These funders could be from anywhere: out of state, out of country,
cartels, members of terrorist organizations ­ ​anyone​. Without knowing who is funding a
message or politician, voters are hindered in their ability to make informed decisions.
What is SB 1516?
Senate Bill 1516 was signed into law on March 30, 2016. Pushed through by the Sec. of
State’s office, SB 1516 scrapped Arizona’s entire campaign finance statue and rewrote
it. SB 1516 codifies corruption and makes it easier for undisclosed donors and dark
money groups to operate in AZ. To learn more, please check out the ​SB 1516
One­Pager​.
How do we stop SB 1516?
In AZ, citizens have the right to refer, change, and repeal laws at the ballot box. To refer
a law to the ballot, we must gather signatures from voters (75,321 in this case). Then, in
November, we all can vote as to whether or not we want this law to go into effect. We will
be urging voters to say NO to SB 1516.
What is HB 2296? Do we have to repeal it, too?
House Bill 2296 passed as a last­minute maneuver to undermine the citizen­led
referendum of SB 1516. HB 2296 contains the same language as SB 1516, but only
moves up the date the law becomes effective so it will apply to the 2016 election. Legal
scholars have advised the campaign that because the language and intent of HB 2296 is
the same as SB 1516, our repeal will apply to both laws.
Is this different than the other “dark money” petitions/initiatives?
Yes!
Open & Honest/VPA/Terry Goddard’s Initiative
This previous initiative would have amended the AZ Constitution to require that
any amount over $10,000 spent to influence elections would have to be disclosed
to the original source of the funds. Due to funding issues, this initiative effort
closed. Terry Goddard and VPA are working with Stop Corruption Now AZ to
repeal SB 1516.
Paid for by Stop Corruption Now AZ, No on R­01­2016

2.
AZ Clean & Accountable Elections Act
This ballot initiative aims primarily to strengthen Clean Elections system. It also
addresses some of the issues with SB 1516. However, this act alone cannot
deliver the reforms it promises unless SB1516 is repealed. The passage of the
Act without the repeal of SB1516 will result in contradictions in the law and
possibly years of court action until the Act could go into effect.
Can I/do I need to sign both?
As a registered AZ voter, you can sign as many ballot initiative/referendum petitions as
you’d like! A signature is not an endorsement nor a vote. Your signature simply
indicates that you think the issue should be decided upon by the voters of AZ in the
November election.
Can I sign the petition online?
Due to strict compliance laws surrounding the initiative, referendum, and recall
processes, all petitions must be signed by registered voters only and in person. From
there, each completed petition sheet must be signed and stamped by a notary to be
considered valid. To learn more about where petitions can be found, please check out
our ​Facebook​ page or contact us at ​info@StopCorruptionNowAZ.com​.
How can I help?
This is a volunteer­powered campaign. To reach our goal of 75,321 signatures, we need
people around the state to commit to gathering signatures from neighbors, family, and
friends.
In addition to carrying petitions, we also need help making phone calls to volunteers,
pushing our message on social media, and fundraising (fully transparently, of course!).
If you’re reading this online, please fill out ​this form​ to connect with the campaign and tell
us how you can help. If you’re reading a physical copy of this FAQ, ask the volunteer
who shared it to connect you with the volunteer team.
It is only through an empowered and active citizenry that we can fight this insidious
legislation and ensure that our government continues to be ​BY, FOR, & OF ​us ­ the
people of AZ.
Paid for by Stop Corruption Now AZ, No on R­01­2016