Little progress made in attempt to put Arizona top-two voting proposal back on ballot in 2016

From Ballot Access News article, ‘Proposed Arizona Top-Two Initiative Hasn’t been Drafted Yet, and Backers Aren’t Sure Exactly What They Will Propose’, by Richard Winger:

Arizona voters defeated an initiative for a top-two system in 2012, by a margin slightly greater than 2:1. It has been reported for some months that the backers of that initiative would try again in 2016. However, the proposed new initiative has not yet been drafted. According to this story, the backers aren’t sure they even will get it on the 2016 ballot.

Also, former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson, the chief backer, is not certain what system he will put on the ballot. Initially he had said it would be to provide for non-partisan elections for Congress and state office, but no decision about that has been made. It is possible that the initiative will instead make it easier for independent candidates to get on the general election ballot. Currently, Arizona requires more signatures for independent candidates for Governor and U.S. Senator to get on the ballot than any other states except Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland. The petition requirements in Georgia and Maryland are currently under legal challenge.