♪♪♪♪ MUSIC PLAYING ♪♪♪♪ >> COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

A DEBATE ON PROPOSITION 136 WHICH MAKES IT EASIER TO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTION AT OF CITIZEN INITIATIVES.

AND WE'LL HEAR ABOUT THE ASU LIBRARY I'S EXPANDING COLLECTION OF BLACK HISTORY IN ARIZONA.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

>> "ARIZONA HORIZON" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FRIENDS OF ARIZONA PBS, MEMBERS OF YOUR PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I AM TED SIMONS.

SAY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC TOM HORNE MISLED STATE LAWMAKER ABOUT THE FEDERAL GRANT PROCESS DURING THE JOINTS LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING EARLY THIS MONTH.

ACCORDING TO THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC REPORTING THAT HORNE GAVIN ACTION ACCURATE INFORMATION AS HE TRIED BLAME THE PREVIOUS SCHOOLS CHIEF OR THE STATE NEARLY LOSING 10s OF MILLIONS OF TITLE $1 THIS KWRAEFRPL THE U.S. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EVENTUALLY STEPPED IN TO RESTORE THE MONEY.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS VOTE NOD NOT TO AUDIT HORNE'S DEPARTMENT AFTER HORNE REPORTEDLY MISLED THE COMMITTEE.

THE DEATH TOLL FROM HURRICANE ALINE IS AT 128 ACROSS SIX STATES AND THE NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO RISE.

HUNDREDS STILL MISSING IN GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA, AND TENNESSEE AND HUNDREDS OF ROADS CLOSED SLOWS DOWN DELIVERY OF SUPPLIES TO SURVIVORS.

FOR RESIDENTS THAT MANAGE TO GET OUT.

THE DEVASTATION IS HARD TO FATHOM.

>> LEAVING IT WAS JUST UNRECOGNIZABLE WHEN WE WERE GOING AROUND JUST LOOKING TO SEE IF ANYBODY WAS OKAY.

I DRIVE THOSE ROADS ALL THE TIME AND I JUST COULDN'T EVEN PICTURE WHERE WE WERE.

ANYMORE.

AND JUST KNOWING THAT NOBODY IS EVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO LIVE THERE PROBABLY.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO BUILDING THEIR LIVES THERE REPORT GOING TO BE ABLE TO FINISH THEIR LIVES THERE.

AND IT'S JUST REALLY HORRIFYING.

>> AND AN UPDATE NOW FROM NORTH CAROLINA AMOUNTS GOVERNOR.

>> THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED STORM AND IT'S CAUSING US TO HAVE AN UNPRECEDENTED RESPONSE.

WE ARE COORDINATING A MULTI-STATE, MULTI-LOCAL, FEDERAL RESPONSE.

WHERE WE ARE SURGING SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS TO HELP RESCUE PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL STRANDED BUT CAN'T COMMUNICATE BECAUSE CELLPHONE SERVICE IS DOWN.

THE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL TOLL HERE IS INDESCRIBABLE.

>> SCIENTISTS SAY THAT HELENE DROPPED TRILLIONS OF GALLONS OF RAIN AS IT CHARGED HUNDREDS OF MILES INLAND AFTER MAKING LANDFALL IN FLORIDA.

>> OTHER HEADLINES MIGHT GRAB CROSSINGS AT THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER REMAIN AT THE LOWEST LEVEL SINCE 2020.

ACCORDING TO FEDERAL DATA OBTAINED BY CNN.

NUMBERS HAVE FALLEN DRASTICALLY SINCE SPREAD BIDEN'S EXECUTIVE ACTION IN JUNE BARRING MIGRANTS FROM SEEK ASYLUM AT THE BORDER IMPLEMENTING HARSH CONSEQUENCES ON THOSE CROSSING ILLEGALLY.

MIGRANTS CAN STILL LEGALLY APPLY THROUGH OTHER CHANNELS.

THE U.S.

PROCESS IS NEARLY 1500 MIGRANT APPOINTMENTS EACH DAY.

AND THE FBI REPORTS THAT CRIME IN THE U.S.

DROPPED THROUGH THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

PRELIMINARY DATA RELEASED TODAY SHOWS THAT MURDERERS WERE DOWN 23% NATIONWIDE.

RAPESDECREASE BAD I 18% AND VIOLENT CRIME OVERALL FELL 10% WHEN COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR WHICH ALSO SHOWED AN OVERALL NATIONAL DECREASE IN CRIME.

>> TIME FOR A DEBATE FROM GOING SIDE ON PROPOSITION 136 ALLOWING COURTS TO HEAR TONIGHT CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES FROM CITIZEN INITIALS BEFORE THEY ARE THE BALLOT CURRENTLY IT ONLY HAPPENS AFTER THEY ARE PASSED BY THE VOTERS.

SCOTT MUSSI PRESIDENT OF THE ARIZONA ARIZONA PREEND LIES CLUB AND PIPPY SHEORAN PRESIDENT OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ARIZONA.

SCOTT, PINNY GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU ARE FOR THE THIS, SCOTT, YOU THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA, WHY?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT IS A GOOD REFORM TO THE INITIATIVE PROCESS.

TO UP SURE SIMPLY PUT, UNCONSTITUTIONAL MEASURES ARE NOT MOVING FORWARD TO THE BALLOT.

THE ONLY PROCESS NOW IN PLACE THAT IF A BALLOT MEASURE IS PUT FORTH AT THE -- PUT FORTH TO VOTE PERCENT TO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY AFTER IT PASSES.

WHICH ENDS UP RESULTING IN YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO GO INTO EFFECT.

THE LAW GOES INTO EFFECT AND IT COULD BE MONTHS IF NOT YEARS OF LITIGATION TO DETERMINE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY.

IF IT'S DETERMINED IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL YOU WENT THROUGH YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY HAVING THAT LAW IN PLACE.

IN PROP 136 PASSES IT INSURES THAT LITIGATION, IF IT'S PERCEIVED THAT THE PROPOSED INITIATIVE CONTAINS UNCONSTITUTIONAL LANGUAGE IT CAN GO BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT AND THEY CAN MAKE A DETERMINATION IF THE LANGUAGE IS CONSTITUTIONAL OR IF IT ISN'T.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS NOT SUCH A GREAT IDEA?

>> THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE IT IS SILENCING THE CITIZENS, EVEN BEFORE THEY CAN BRING A PROPOSITION TO THE VOTERS.

AND SO PHYSICAL, IN FACT, THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE, WHICH REFERRED THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSITION, CARED THIS MUCH ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT NO UNCONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSITIONS ARE ON THE BOTTOM IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE HOW THEY WOULD HAVE PASSED A SIMILAR RULING FOR THEIR OWN LAWS THAT THEY PASSED ADVISED TO BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND STILL PASSED IT ANYWAY.

OKAY?

SO FRANKLY, THE WAY WE SEE IT AT THE LEAGUE IS THIS IS INSURING THAT THE CITIZENS DON'T SPEAK BEFORE AND THE VOTERS DON'T GET TO HEAR FROM THEM.

>> AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS, SINCE YOU CAN FILE SUIT AFTER THE ELECTION, IF IT DOESN'T PASS THEN IT'S ALL WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE.

IF YOU CAN DO IT AFTERWARDS, WHAT'S THE POINT HEAR?

>> WELL, THE POINT IS, IS THAT IF SOMETHING GOES INTO EFFECT AND IT DOES BECOME A LAW, IT COULD BE YEARS BEFORE THERE IS ANY SORT OF DETERMINATION ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY.

WHICH CAN CREATE YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY RELATED TO THAT LAW.

AND WE SAW THIS HAPPEN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO A PROPOSITION PASSED IN 2020, IT BARELY PASSED.

A STATUTORY CHANGE TO THE TACK INCREASE AND AFTER TWO YEARS OF LITIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED IN FACT BY THE STATE SUPREME COURT THAT IT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

AND THE RESULT OF THAT, THOUGH, WAS YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY RELATE TODAY THIS NEW TAX LAW, THOUSAND COMPLY.

IT WOULD HAVE MADE A LOT MORE SENSE IF BEFOREHAND THAT LITIGATION COULD HAVE OCCURRED TO ALLOW THE SUPREME COURT TO MAKE THE DETERMINATION.

>> WOULD IT HAVE MADE MORE SENSE AND SAVED MONEY TO JUST GO AHEAD AND FIND OUT BEFOREHAND WHETHER OR NOT THIS THING IS CONSTITUTIONAL?

>> THERE ARE ALREADY CHECKS AND BALANCES IN PLACE WHEN CITIZENS INITIATIVES ARE BROUGHT FORWARD.

THERE IS THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL REVIEW.

CAMPAIGNS HAVE THEIR OWN LEGAL COUNSEL REVIEW.

THERE IS A BUDGET REVIEW.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN.

SO ISN'T THAT THERE AREN'T MANY CHECKS AND BALANCES ALREADY IN PLACE.

TODAY DETERMINE IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO BE CONSTITUTIONAL OR NOT.

IN ONE IMPORTANT THING THAT SCOTT BROUGHT UP THAT I WANT TO RESPOND TO IS THAT WE -- WHEN WE TELL CITIZENS GROUP THAT, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, IT -- THAT -- THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL NATURAL IS NOT A CLEAR-CUT DECISION.

THERE ISN'T THE AMOUNT OF FAITH WE OUGHT TO HAVE WITH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAT IT IS UNBIASED.

THERE IS NOTHING TO SAY THAT WOULD THE SUPREME COURT WOULD RULE IN A FAIR AND AWN UNBIASED MANNER.

SECOND IS THE COST ISSUE THAT SCOTT BROUGHT UP.

WHY WASTE ALL THAT MONEY UP FRONT.

THIS ONLY SAVES MONEY FOR THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSING BALLOT INITIATIVES BECAUSE THEY CAN SILENCE IT BEFORE IT EVEN GETS TO THE VOTERS.

>> I WANTED TO BRING UP COST AND MONEY AS WELL.

THE IF I'VE GOT PROP, YOU KNOW, PROP TED OUT THERE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERYONE IS FILING SUIT AGAINST PROP TED IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GATHER MONEY AND GET FUNDING FOR MY PARTICULAR CAMPAIGN.

BECAUSE HERE COME THE LAWSUIT, HERE COMES -- YOU KNOW WHAT I AM SAYING.

IS IT NOT A CHILLING FACTOR?

A CHILLING EFFECT?

>> NO, THESE LAWSUITS WOULDN'T OCCUR UNTIL AFTER THEY ALREADY FILED THEIR SIGNATURES AND THEY HAVE TO BE CONCLUDED AS REQUIRED BY THE INITIATIVE 100 DAYS BEFORE THE VETOED CURSE.

AND SO THE PERIOD IN WHICH YOU WOULD HAVE TO -- THE LITIGATION WOULD PLAY OUT IS LONG BEFORE EVEN BALLOTS ARE PRINT TODAY THAT PARTICULAR MEASURE.

IF SOMEBODY DEEMED IT TO BE -- OR COULD POE SLEEP I BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL TAILLIGHT HAPPENS BEFORE THE BALLOTS ARE PRINTED.

>> IS THERE NOT A CONCERN CROWDING NUISANCE SUITS TO SLOW THE PROCESS, ONCE YOU GET IT ON THE BALLOT YOU HAVE TO CAMPAIGN TO GET IT PASSED AND IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO FIND FOLKS WHO WANT TO FUND UP FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> IF IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL THAT'S A SERIOUS QUESTION.

THE QUESTION OF DEBATE OVER WHETHER YOU ARE TRYING TO FILE FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

IF YOU ARE TRYING TO FILE FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS THE COURTS HAVE IN THE PAST DEMONSTRATE AID WILLINGNESS TO REPRIMAND ATTORNEYS AND GROUPS FOR FILING FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS REWARDING ATTORNEY FEES AND OTHERS GETS GROUPS TRYING TO FILE FRILL PLUS SUITS.

>> YOU MENTIONED POSSIBLE BIAS IN THE COURTS THAT COULD OCCUR BEFORE, DURING, AFTER THIS PROCESS, COULD IT NOT?

>> I THINK IT'S MUCH HARDER TO DO -- TO -- IT'S EASIER FOR THE COURT TO INFUSE THAT BIAS BEFORE EVEN THE VOTERS HAVE HEARD ABOUT IT.

I THINK IT'S HARDER TO DO IT, BECAUSE IT'S MUCH MORE COSTLY FOR THOSE WHO A OPPOSE IT.

THIS IS DEFINITELY LET'S SILENCE THEM.

ONCE IT'S SPOKE, ONCE THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN, MUCH HARDER TO SILENCE THE WILL OF THE VOTERS.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THAT IS SOMETHING TO RECOGNIZE.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?

>> YES.

ACCUSING THE COURT THAT SAYING THEY ARE GOING TO ENGAGE IN A BIAS MATTER WHETHER OR NOT BEFORE OR AFTER I DON'T THINK IS, YOU KNOW, ADDING THE ISSUE RED TROD WHETHER OR NOT IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL OR NOT.

BUT DECKEDLY IS IMPUGNING THE MOTIVES OF THE JUSTICE SAYING THEY ARE INFLUENCED BY OTHER MATTERS THAN THE LAW.

IT'S STRAIGHTFORWARD.

THEY CAN EVALUATE IT BASED ON WHETHER OR NOT IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL.

WE CAN WE SHOULD TRUST OUR JUSTICES AND COURT SYSTEM TO ADJUDICATE THAT AND LET THE PROCESS PLAY OUT BEFORE THE ELECTION RATHER THAN HAVE IT DRAG OUT YEARS AFTERWARDS.

>> AGAIN, JUST FOR COMMON SENSE PURPOSES HERE, DOES IT NOT MAKE SENSE TO KEEP VOTE FORCE VOTING ON SOMETHING THAT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL?

>> BUT THERE ARE CHECKS AND BALANCES ANYWAY BEFORE A BALLOT PROPOSITION MAKES IT A CITIZENS'S INITIATIVE MAKES IT INTO -- ONTO THE BALLOT.

AND FRANKLY, I WOULD RATHER TRUST THE VOTERS AND THE WILL OF THE VOTERS THAN THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM.

>> AND, SCOTT, AGAIN, CRITICS WILL SAY THIS IS YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT BY REPUBLICANS AND THE RIGHT TO KEEP THIS CITIZENS INITIATIVE PROCESS IS CONSTANTLY SEEMS TO BE ATTACKED FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD HERE AND THIS IS YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> I WOULD SAY THIS ISN'T A CONSECUTIVE OR A LIBERAL REFORM.

I THINK THIS IS A COMMON SENSE REFORM RELATED TO THE PROCESS DEALING WITH THE QUESTION OF MATTERS OF LAW.

AND WHETHER OR NOT SOMETHING IS CONSTITUTIONAL OR NOT.

THIS DOESN'T IMPINGE ON ANY GROUP'S ABILITY TO COLLECT SIGNATURES TORQUE PROPOSE LAWS, EVEN TO PROMOTE IT TO TRY TO GET IT PASSED IT DEALS SOLELY SPECIFICALLY OF THE QUESTION OF THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF IT.

AND, AGAIN, I THINK ON THE FLIP SIDE I THINK VOTERS SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE TO KNOW THAT THE LAWS OR THE PROPOSED INITIATIVES THAT THEY ARE CONSIDERING TO VOTE ON, ARE, IN FACT CONTINUE TUESDAY THE OR NOT.

IT MAKE SENSE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PREVENTING UNCONSTITUTIONAL MEASURES FROM APPEALING ON THE BALANCE STPWHRUT FINAL WORD ON THIS.

AGAIN, THE IDEA BEING THAT I DON'T PERSONALLY WANT TO VOTE FOR SOMETHING THAT'S NEVER GOING TO MAKE IT HERE.

WHY NOT INSURE IT BEFOREHAND?

>> WHY NOT SILENCE THEM BEFORE THEY SPEAK?

WHY NOT SILENCE THE CITIZENS THAT ARE BRINGING?

WHY DO CITIZENS BRINGS SUCH INITIATIVES FORWARD?

BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT DONE RIGHT BY THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

THAT'S THAT'S MY WE HAVE IT ENSHRINED IN OUR CONSTITUTION THAT THE CITIZENS HAVE A RIGHT TO BRING FORWARD INITIATIVE.

LET'S SILENCE THEM BEFORE THEY CAN SPEAK.

>> PENNY SHEORAN AND, SCOTT MUSSI THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ARIZONA PBS IS YOUR CONNECTION TO LOCAL POLITICS, NEXT WEEK DON'T MISS OUR ONE-HOUR AZ VOTES 2024 SPECIAL, EXAMINING THE IMPACTS OF ABORTION AND IMMIGRATION-RELATED BALLOT MEASURES THAT VOTERS ARE BEING ASKED TO CONSIDER THIS FALL.

TUNE IN TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH AT 7:00 P.M. OR WATCH OUR LIVE STREAM ON THE AZ PBS NOW YouTube CHARGE OR ARIZONA PBS Facebook PAGE.

>>> WHEN YOU SUPPORT ARIZONA PBS, YOU PLANTS A SEED.

SEEDS THAT PROVIDE EDUCATION OUTREACH.

SEEDS THAT PUT RESOURCES TO WORK.

SEEDS THAT FOSTER THE TRUSTED NEWS COUGH COVERAGE YOU EXPECT FROM PBS.

AND SEEDS THAT CONTINUE THE AMAZING PBS PROGRAMS YOU LOVE.

BUT OUR GUARD END CAN'T KEEP GROWING WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE ALL THE WAYS THAT YOU CAN HELP OUR GARDEN GROW.

PLANT A IS SEED WITH ARIZONA PBS TODAY.

>> HELLO I AM TED SIMONS FROM ARIZONA PBS.

SOMETIMES WEST A CHANGE IN OUR GOVERNMENT.

TIME WE PREFER TO KEEP THEM AS THEY ARE.

VOTING IS HOW WE PRESENCE THOSE OPINIONS AND IT'S A KEY PART PART OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

ELECTIONS FROM PRESIDENT AND OTHER HIGH-PROFILE OFFICES OFTEN GET THE MOST A IT ATTENTION BUT STATE AND LOCAL RACES HAVE AN EVEN BIGGER IMPACT ON EVERY DAY LIFE.

ONCE VOTED IN ELECTED LEADERS ARE TASKED WITH ANSWERS IMPORTANT QUESTIONS WHILE WILL THIS ROAD BE PRAY OR SANITIZED.

HOW WILL TRASH PICK UP AND SCHOOLS OPERATE AND SHUT VACANT LAND BE DESIGNATE FIRST DEGREE SINGLE-FAMILIAR HOMES OR HIGH OF IT DENSITY APARTMENTS.

SOMETIMES VOTERS ARE ASKED TO WEIGH IN THROUGH BALLOT A IN ADDITION STITCHES THAT HAVE THE SAME WEIGHT AS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

207 ASKED ARIZONA VOTERS WITH MARIJUANA POSSESSION AND USE SHOULD BE LEGALIZED 60% OF VOTERS SAID YES AND PUT A NEW LAW INTO PLACE.

BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WE ARE ELECTING LEADERS TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS SINCE THESE LEADERS WORK FOR US, AND OUR ELECTED REPRESENT OUR INTERESTS AND VALUES IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE INFORMED ABOUT CANDIDATE'S POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES IN AN ELECTION YEAR THERE ARE TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO VELOCITY I'M PRIMARY, WHICH ALLOWS EACH POLITICAL SELECT A CANDIDATE TO RUN FOR A PARTICULAR OFFICE.

AND A GENERAL ELECTION, WHICH ALLOWS VOTERS TO ELECT A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE.

TO VOTE IN AIR YOU FIRST NEED TO REGISTER TO DO THAT YOU HAVE TO BE A CITIZEN OF UNITED STATES, A RESIDENT OF ARIZONA, AND AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE BY THE NEXT GEN ELECTION.

TO REGISTER YOU NEED AN ARIZONA DRIVER'S LICENSE OR NON-OPERATING I.D.

CART CARD IF YOU DON'T HAVE EITHERRER OF THESE UNITE ANOTHER PROOF.

A BIRTH CERTIFICATE, A U.S. PASSPORT OR NATURALIZATION DOCUMENT RAILROAD TRIBAL END ROLE.

NUMBER.

CHECK THE ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE AZSOS.GOV TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PAPERWORK.

WITHIN 4 TO 6 SOMEBODY WEEKS OF SUBMITTING YOUR VOLTER REGISTRATION FORM YOU SHOULD RECEIVE A VOTER REG REGISTRATION CARD IN THE MAIL ALONG WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HOW DESIGNATED POLLING PLACE WHICH IS WHERE YOU GO IF YOU CHOOSE TO VOTE IN PERSON.

THERE ARE CASES WHERE ADULTS SUBMIT THE CITIZENSHIP AND RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE.

FOR EXAMPLE, CONVICTED FELONS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO VOTE UNTIL THEY SERVE THEIR TIME AND THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS HAVE BEEN RESTORED.

THERE ARE ALSO CASES WHERE A COURT MAY FIND SOMEONE NOT MEMORY CAPABLE OF MAKING THE IMPORTANT DECISIONS VOTERS ARE ASKED TO MAKE DUE IT A MEDICAL CONDITION OR OTHER FACTORS.

>> ARIZONA VOTERS HAVE MULTIPLE OPTIONS TO CASTING BALLOTS.

THE MORE TRADITIONAL APPROACH IS VISIT YOUR DESIGNATED POLLING PLACE IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY, IF THAT'S YOUR CHOICE BRING AT LEAST ONE FORM OF I D. YOU CAN ALSO CAST YOUR BALLOT IN PERSON DURING THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD.

AND FINALLY, ARIZONA ALLOWS ANY VOTE TORE REQUEST A BALLOT BY MAIL UPON REACHING YOUR BALLOT YOU CAN FILL IT OUT AT HOME AND EITHER RETURN IT BY MAIL OR DELIVER IT TO ANY POLLING PLACE BEFORE OR ON ELECTION DAY.

AGAIN, CHECK AZSOS.GOV TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE PREPARED TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY THROUGH THE ELECTION PROCESS.

WHILE YOU CAN CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS OR SPEAK OUT ABOUT ISSUES AT ANY TIME, VOTING FOR THE PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT YOU IS A POWERFUL WAY TO SHAPE YOUR COMMUNITY.

MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD, FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE AND BE SURE TO VOTE.

I AM TED SIMONS OF ARIZONA PBS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS EPISODE OF VOTER ED.

♪♪ MUSIC PLAYING ♪♪ ♪♪ MUSIC PLAYING ♪♪ >> ASU LIBRARY HOUSES A REPOSITORY OF COLLECTIONS DEDICATED TO SHARING THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF BLACK ARIZONA AS A ACROSS THE STATE IT IT'S ANNEX PANTING COLLECTION THAT LOOKS TO CONTINUE THE EXPANSION WITH THOSE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO ARIZONA AS AT THAT HISTORY.

JOINING US IS JESSICA SALOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> GIVE ME A BETTER DEFINITION.

>> IT IS DEFINITELY A COLLECTION OF DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY-DRIVEN ARCHRIVAL PRACTICES AND SO WE ARE REALLY DEDICATED TO INSURING THAT ALL COMMUNITY AND, THAT INCLUDES INSIDE ASU AND OUTSIDE ASU THAT SURROUND OUR CAMPUSS THAT HAS A COLLECTION DEDICATED TO THEIR STORIES, MEMORY, HISTORY HERE IN ARIZONA.

>> IT WAS ORIGINALLY FOCUS ON THE ASU, WAS IT NOT?

>> IT WAS.

BUT ALSO THE SAME TIME WE REALLY RECOGNIZE THAT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS IT REALLY NEEDS TO INVOLVE OUR EVERYBODY TERM COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF ASU AS WELL.

AND THAT'S WHAT OUR COMMUNITY-DRIVEN ARCHIVES INITIATIVE IS ABOUT IS EXTERNAL COMMUNITIES.

>> WAS THERE A SPARK THAT GOT ALL OF THIS STARTED?

>> YEAH, THERE WAS AN IISH TIFF IN 2020 THAT DR. CROW PUT OUT REGARDING INITIATIVES THAT WERE ALREADY GOING ON WITHIN ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY REGARDING BLACK FACULTY STUDENTS AND STAFF.

AND THAT WAS AFTER THE UNFORTUNATE EVENTS OF GEORGIA FLOYD AND THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT AND AT THAT TIME, COMMUNITY ARE YOU-DRIVEN ARCHIVES WAS INTERESTED IN EXPANDING, SUSTAINABLE, AND SO WE APPLIED FOR THE LISTEN INVEST FACILITATE TEACH INITIATIVE WITHIN ASU AND THAT IS HOW WE RECEIVED OUR FUNDING AND THAT'S HOW BLACK COLLECTIONS STARTED WAS BECAUSE OF THE LIFT INITIATIVE WE CALL IT.

>> THAT'S GOTTA BE EXCITING ARE IS STARTING FROM THE GROUND UP.

>> YEAH, IT CAN BE EXCITED BUT OVERWHELMING WHEN YOU ARE TALKING A COLLECTION THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN STARTED A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO BUT WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE WE CAN REALLY TAKE THINGS IN AND ANY DIRECTION THAT WE WANT AND CONTRACT FLEXIBILITY TO BE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF ANYWHERE.

EVERYWHERE HONESTLY WHERE THAT'S CONCERNED.

>> LET'S LACK AT THE PHOTOS THE FIRST OF A GENTLEMEN BY THE NAME OF BENTON JAMES.

WHO WAS BENTON JAMES.

>> OUR FIRST BLACK MALE GRADUATES OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY IN 1924.

WE ARE ACTUALLY CELEBRATING HIS 100-YEAR GRADUATION THIS YEAR.

AND SO BENTON WAS, AGAIN, THE FIRST BLACK MALE GRADUATE FROM THE TEACHER'S COLLEGE AND WE HAVE AGAIN TONIGHT'S PHOTO.

WE HAVE THE PROGRAM THAT HE WAS IN.

BUT OUTSIDE OF THAT WE DON'T REALLY HAVE MUCH OF BENTON'S HISTORY.

ESPECIALLY HIS HISTORY AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY.

NBA SO, THIS YEAR WE PUT OUT A CALL ASKING FOLKS IF THEY HAD ANY INFORMATION ABOUT BENTON OR ANY INFORMATION ABOUT EARLY BLACK GRADUATES THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM FOLKS ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES AND THE FOLKS WHO CAME THROUGH ASU'S DOORS.

>> VERY GOOD.

ALSO WE HAVE A PHOTO OF THE DUNBAR SOCIAL AND LITERARY CLUB, WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

>> THAT WAS A REALLY INTERESTING FIND WITHIN THE YEAR BACK.

SO THE DUNBAR CLUB WAS STARTED IN 1936, AND IT WAS A CLUB THAT WAS REALLY PROMOTING FRIENDSHIP AND OTHER CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSITY.

AND SO THIS WAS THE ONLY BLACK CLUB IN 1936.

AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL THE 1950s THAT REALLY HAD DEDICATED ALL BLACK MEMBERS AND THEY REALLY WERE PROMOTING AGAIN FRIENDSHIP, KIND OF UNITY AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF BEING BLACK AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY.

>> GREAT PHOTO.

>> FROM THE 1940 YEARBOOK.

>> WOW.

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT, LINCOLN RAGSDALE A LOT OF OLD-TIME ARIZONANS AND PHOENICIANS WILL REMEMBER THAT NAME.

HE WAS A BIG PLAYER HERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND A BIG PLAYER THERE AT BLACK COLLECTIONS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE REALLY, REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE RAGSDALE FAMILY PAPERS COLLECTION AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY.

LINCOLN RAGSDALE JR. WAS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO DONATE THAT COLLECTION TO BLACK COLLECTIONS AND I AM CURRENTLY PROCESSING THROUGH IT RIGHT NOW.

IT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 2025.

BUT IT REALLY DOCUMENTS SO MUCH OF THE FAMILY'S HISTORY, NOT ONLY THEIR PERSONAL FAMILY HISTORY, BUT THEIR BUSINESS HISTORY, THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY, SO MUCH HISTORY OF THAT FAMILY AND IF YOU KNOW PHOENIX HISTORY YOU KNOW THE RAGSDALE FAMILY HISTORY.

>> YOU MENTIONED BUSINESS, THE VALLEY DID SAID INDICATION, YOU HAD A PHOTO OF THAT TOO.

>> THAT WAS A REALLY INTERESTING FIND THAT PARTICULAR PHOTO.

BECAUSE IT REALLY SHOWS THE PRIDE THAT THE RAGSDALES HAD IN THEIR BUSINESS AND BEING ABLE TO CREATE A WHOLE NEW BUILDING THAT HOUSED SO MANY OF THEIR BUSINESSES THIS DEDICATION PHOTO IS REALLY SOMETHING.

>> ALSO FROM THE RAGSDALE COLLECTION WE SEE A PROTEST AT THE CAPITAL AND WE SEE A PROTEST MARCH BOTH OF THESE PHOTOS FROM THE RAGSDALE COLLECTION, TALK TO US ABOUT IT.

>> THESE PARTICULAR PHOTOS OBVIOUSLY THE RAGSDALES WERE VERY ACTIVE IN CIVIL RATES THEY WERE ONE OF THE FAMILIES THAT DID BRING MARLIN LUTHER KING JR. TO THE VALLEY IN 1964 IN ORDER FOR HIM TO SPEAK AT GOODWIN STADIUM AND A LOT OF TIMES THEY WOULD BE IN THESE PARTICULAR, YOU KNOW, PROTESTS MARCHS AND PROTESTINGS AND THERE WAS A LOT OF REALLY GREAT PHOTOS IN THE COLLECTION OF THESE PARTICULAR ACTIVITIES NOT ONLY OF THE FAMILY, BUT OF THE COMMUNITY AT THAT TIME AND WHAT KIND OF THEY WENT THROUGH AT THESE PARTICULAR PROTESTS RALLY IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.

>> THESE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS FROM THE RAGSDALE FAMILY AND THAT'S A PROMINENT FAMILY HERE IN THE VALLEY.

BUT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THINGS JUST FROM REGULAR FOLKS, AREN'T NEW.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT I TELL FOLKS IS THAT BLACK COLLECTIONS IS FOR EVERYBODY.

IT'S NOT JUST FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE PROMINENT LIKE THE RAGSDALE FAMILY.

OR POP TIPSES OR PEOPLE WITHIN ASU IT'S COMMUNITY.

SO ANYBODY WHO IS A PART OF THE BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY HERE IN ARIZONA, BLACK COLLECTIONS IS THERE TO ASSIST WITH THE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO PRESERVE YOUR MEMORY AND HOW TO DO STORYTELLING IF THAT'S WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO DO WITH YOUR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEMORY AND HISTORY.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING, YOU SAY TO ASSIST YOU TO ARCHIVE YOUR OWN HISTORY.

BASICALLY IF YOU GOT A BIG COLLECTION OF PHOTOS DON'T KNOW WHAT DO WITH THE THINGS COME IN, YOU'LL HELP.

>> ACTION ABSOLUTELY LIMB I WOULD LOVE TO HELP IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DONATE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO GIVE YOU FREE ARCHRIVAL SUPPLIES OR TEACH YOU HOW TO DO THESE THINGS THAT WE HAVE PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED ARCHIVISTS KNOW HOW TO DO AND TAKE TABOO YOUR OWN FAMILY OR COMMUNITY ARCHIVE AND DO THAT PARTICULAR WORK YOURSELF IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE US AS ARIZONA STATE TAKE ON THAT WORK FOR YOU.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION THIS IS STATEWIDE HERE NOT JUST THE VALLEY.

>> ABSOLUTELY STATEWIDE.

ARIZONA STATEWIDE EVEN THOUGH SOMETIMES MARICOPA COUNTY DOES TEND TO KIND OF GET THE LARGE.

>> YES.

>> CHUNK OF A LOT OF THAT.

BUT THIS IS A COLLECTION THAT IS STATEWIDE SO THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT WOULD REALLY HIGHLIGHT THE HISTORY OF BLACK PEOPLE HERE IN ARIZONA.

>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PROJECT, AND BEST OF LUCK ON THIS.

SOUNDS LIKE BUSY WORK, TILL YOU.

>> VERY BUSY.

>> JESSICA SALOW ASU LIBRARY'S BLACKS COLLECTION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THAT IS IT FOR NOW I AM TED SIMONS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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