Ken Bennett appealing decision on Arizona tax increase

PHOENIX - Secretary of State Ken Bennett is appealing a court ruling that overturned his decision that a paperwork error should keep a sales tax increase off Arizona's ballot.

Bennett tells The Associated Press he's appealing to protect the election process and to clear up confusion left by the lower court ruling.

The appeal extends the court fight over whether the penny-on-the-dollar increase goes on the ballot.

Bennett had said omission of two paragraphs on the printed copy of the initiative proposal submitted to his office meant all the initiative petitions were invalid.

However, a judge ruled it was enough that complete copies were attached to petitions.

Despite the court fight, elections officials are checking petitions to see if there are enough valid voter signatures to put the proposal on the ballot.