Arizona high court affirms decision on election plan

PHOENIX - A proposal to shake up Arizona's primary election system apparently will appear on the November ballot.

The Arizona Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed the decision of a trial court, which denied an injunction to keep the item off the general election ballot.

The measure would allow voters to select any candidate during primary elections, regardless of party affiliation. Also, the top-two finishers would advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.

That would be a dramatic departure from the current system, which allows voters to vote only in the primary of their own party or, if they're independents, a party of their choosing. And each party's nominee advances to the general election.

Opponents contend the changes would deprive voters of meaningful choices and weaken political parties.