Petitions are a tool for us to participate in our self-governance in Arizona.

They are enshrined in Article 4 of the Arizona Constitution.

We gather signatures over weeks and weeks, and if enough voters sign by the deadline, the issue will appear on your ballot in November. Like the marijuana law and education funding, citizens vote directly “yes” or ”no.”

Yet this summer, and summers past, not a single newspaper, television, or radio broadcast informed the public when and where voters could sign petitions.

The press only reported on petitions after the signature collection was over. Petition drives that had enough signatures to be on the ballot in November made headlines, along with others that did not, such as women’s reproductive rights.

The impact? To ensure reproductive rights in Arizona, you must vote for a Democratic governor and representatives. No Republicans will defend reproductive rights. There is no other option.

The press has a civic duty to report petitions launched, with updates on the times and locations citizens can sign.

Then, Arizonans will have a true bipartisan choice.