Arizona Court Blocks Transition to ‘Arizona Independent Party’

A Maricopa County judge has voided the name change of the No Labels Party of Arizona, dealing a significant blow to efforts to establish a formalized political vehicle for independent voters. The ruling effectively forces the organization to revert to its original name, the No Labels Party, as it navigates a complex legal battle with the state’s major political establishments.

The Court’s Decision

Judge Gregory Como declared the name change to the “Arizona Independent Party” void, ruling that Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes lacked the authority to approve the rebranding last October. The decision comes after a series of legal challenges from the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission as well as the state’s Democratic and Republican parties.

Opponents of the name change argued that the new title would confuse voters. The timing of the ruling is particularly critical, as it occurred shortly after the March 23 deadline for candidates to file petition signatures for the midterm election ballot.

Origins and Objectives of the Party

Founded in 2023, the party is currently chaired by Paul Johnson, the former mayor of Phoenix. Whereas it began as a chapter of the national No Labels organization, the Arizona entity has not been affiliated with the national group since 2025.

The party’s primary objective is to break the “failures of the two-party system” and provide a genuine voice for everyday Americans. According to the party’s official mission, they seek to empower “builders, believers, dreamers, defenders, and doers” by promoting a government based on:

• Freedom and Rights: Protecting civil, equal, and human rights, including property rights and freedom of speech.
• Innovation: Supporting a political framework that prioritizes common-sense solutions over partisan blame.
• Equity: Ensuring equitable elections and integrity in leadership.

Strategic Partnerships and Legal Hurdles

The push for rebranding was part of a broader strategy by Paul Johnson and proponents of Proposition 140—which sought to create nonpartisan primaries—to use the party as a vehicle for Independents to gain ballot access. To strengthen its position, the party announced a partnership with the Forward Party on November 6, 2025.

Despite these strategic moves, the legal mechanism for changing a party name in Arizona remains a strict barrier. The court noted that there is no legal mechanism in state law for a party to simply change its name; instead, the organization would need to file as a new party and achieve the required number of voters to appear on the ballot.

Key Takeaways

• Ruling: Judge Gregory Como voided the name change to “Arizona Independent Party.”
• Reasoning: The Secretary of State lacked the authority to approve the change, and the new name was deemed potentially confusing to voters.
• Current Status: The party reverts to the “No Labels Party” and has indicated plans to appeal the decision.
• Leadership: Former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson serves as the party chairperson.

What’s Next for Arizona’s Independent Movement?

The party intends to appeal the judge’s decision, continuing its fight to secure a brand that reflects its independent identity. However, the immediate impact is a return to the “No Labels” branding during a pivotal election cycle. As the party continues to advocate for a system beyond the Democratic and Republican binary, its ability to secure ballot access remains the central challenge to its growth in the state.