Arizona Independent Party Battles SB 1609

When we formed the Arizona Independent Party, one of our main goals was simple: to put enough pressure on both major parties to make them work together instead of against one another. 

Well — mission accomplished. Because now both parties have filed lawsuits against us, and most recently, the legislature has introduced Senate Bill 1609. 

What Is SB 1609?

Senate Bill 1609 was introduced in the Arizona Legislature earlier this week by State Senator Thomas “T.J.” Shope. It deals with how new political parties are recognized and what names they can use. The bill would prohibit a new political party from using a variety of terms in its official name, including:

“independent,” “unaffiliated,” “no party,” “no preference,” “party not designated,” “decline to state,” or any similar variations.

The bill requires that a party’s proposed name be “distinguishable from the name of all existing recognized political parties in this state” and expressly forbids the use of those terms.

A Real “Threat” to Arizona 

What’s rather fascinating — and frankly troubling — about this bill is that it contains an emergency provision. SB 1609 claims it is “necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.” 

But let’s be honest about what Arizona is truly confronting right now:

• Water shortages

• Housing affordability

• Education

• Immigration and ICE raids

• Economic vulnerability 

• Healthcare access 

• Rising public safety concerns

These are genuine emergencies that affect every Arizonan’s peace and safety, yet the Legislature has chosen to prioritize a bill targeting a party name over real policy solutions.

A Duopoly Under Threat

Supporters of SB 1609 argue it’s about avoiding voter confusion on ballots. But let’s look at the context:

Since October 2025 the Arizona Independent Party — formerly the No Labels Party — legally changed its name with approval from the Arizona Secretary of State. 

Despite this, both the Republican and Democratic parties have sued to block that name change — something almost unheard of in a functioning democracy. 

And now, with SB 1609, the Legislature is trying to make that change retroactively illegal.

One local news report noted that both parties actually agree on this bill — not because it improves elections, but because it keeps competition out of the political marketplace.

Will Governor Hobbs Sign It?

Governor Katie Hobbs has publicly said she won’t stand by while extremists in the Legislature attack people’s ability to cast their ballot.

In a July 2025 interview she stated:

“I also am not going to stand by while extremists in the Legislature try to attack people’s ability to cast their ballot… and those are the things that I’ve vetoed and I’ll continue to.”

SB 1609 does exactly that.

By restricting how independent voters and parties can identify themselves, this bill limits ballot access and narrows voter choice.

The question is simple: Will she veto it?

Independent Voters Deserve Better

More than a third of Arizona voters are independents.

They don’t belong to the political establishment.They don’t answer to party bosses.And they don’t deserve to be erased from the ballot.

SB 1609 isn’t about clarity.

It’s about control.

When both major parties unite, it’s rarely to expand voter choice. It’s to protect their power.

That’s exactly why the Arizona Independent Party exists —and exactly why we’re not going anywhere.