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The 8 ballot propositions to know for Arizona's election

Arizonans will vote on photo radar, DEI, transgender athletes and more.

News

The lawsuits are over and ballots are being finalized, and though Arizonans <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="won&#x27;t get to vote on school vouchers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/18/proposition-212-off-ballot-esa-school-vouchers-arizona-supreme-court" data-vars-content-id="0ee737ad-a108-4f99-a24b-dc02a81c1153" data-vars-headline="The 8 ballot propositions to know for Arizona&#x27;s election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/18/proposition-212-off-ballot-esa-school-vouchers-arizona-supreme-court" target="_self">won&#x27;t get to vote on school vouchers</a> in November, there are plenty of other propositions to sort through.Why it matters: Ballot propositions give voters an opportunity to decide the laws for themselves, rather than rely on state legislators.

Michelin stars skip Arizona in Southwest debut

But several Phoenix restaurants took home other awards.

Food and Drink

The famously stingy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin Guide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/08/24/utah-michelin-star-predictions" data-vars-content-id="592f167b-2d65-4af5-9f31-8192af4eb4af" data-vars-headline="Michelin stars skip Arizona in Southwest debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/08/24/utah-michelin-star-predictions" target="_self">Michelin Guide</a> denied Arizona restaurants any of its coveted stars, but nearly a dozen Valley favorites did get some recognition during a ceremony Wednesday. Why it matters: A Michelin star would have gone a long toward boosting the Valley&#x27;s growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national reputation for its restaurant scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cntraveler.com/story/phoenix-reborn-with-new-hotels-food-and-art?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="592f167b-2d65-4af5-9f31-8192af4eb4af" data-vars-headline="Michelin stars skip Arizona in Southwest debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cntraveler.com/story/phoenix-reborn-with-new-hotels-food-and-art?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">national reputation for its restaurant scene</a>.

The funniest rejected ADOT safety message entries

Public Safety

The Arizona Department of Transportation is in the midst of yet <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="another contest" data-vars-click-url="https://azdot.gov/news/adot-announces-finalists-safety-message-contest-0" data-vars-content-id="69ce75b8-8bcc-4208-a41d-2cfc2023e82f" data-vars-headline="The funniest rejected ADOT safety message entries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://azdot.gov/news/adot-announces-finalists-safety-message-contest-0" target="_blank">another contest</a> to determine what somewhat-humorous safety message will appear on highway LED boards. But far more entertaining are the messages ADOT rejected.Why it matters: ADOT received more than 1,700 entries in the one-week period the contest was open. Axios obtained that list via a public records request and combed through it for the rejected messages that made us guffaw.

Trump admin wants to nix rule protecting Arizona wilderness

Almost 1.2 million acres of Arizona's national forests are protected by the rule.

Environment

The Trump administration has moved closer to eliminating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roadless Rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" data-vars-content-id="8a06a700-70a8-4288-8e29-f8731b113507" data-vars-headline="Trump admin wants to nix rule protecting Arizona wilderness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" target="_self">Roadless Rule</a> in national forests, potentially opening hundreds of thousands of acres of Arizona wilderness to development.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decades-old federal policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" data-vars-content-id="8a06a700-70a8-4288-8e29-f8731b113507" data-vars-headline="Trump admin wants to nix rule protecting Arizona wilderness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" target="_blank">decades-old federal policy</a> has protected millions of acres of wilderness from new roads and logging — to the delight of conservationists and the ire of the timber industry.

Candidates may have to refund millions in Clean Elections money

Three candidates may have improperly received $4.7 million in Clean Elections funding.

Politics

Three statewide candidates may have to return millions in public campaign funding after a Citizens Clean Elections Commission (CCEC) investigation found evidence that they improperly obtained the money.The big picture: Risa Lombardo and Duwayne Collier, the Green Party&#x27;s nominees for governor and secretary of state, respectively, and Scott Neely, who lost the Republican primary for governor, have collectively received $4.7 million in Clean Elections funding.

Jake Hoffman is making money off candidates he recruited

Jake Hoffman is an influential far-right state senator from Gilbert.

A political communications firm owned by influential GOP state Sen. Jake Hoffman has made more than $200,000 so far off of two statewide candidates he recruited to run in the 2026 election, campaign finance data shows.Why it matters: The money spent on Hoffman&#x27;s Forged Communications — by prominent candidates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kimberly Yee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/05/28/yee-challenge-horne-republican-primary-superintendent-of-public-instruction" data-vars-content-id="9346e458-d9ce-457c-b99c-134f82e9da2b" data-vars-headline="Jake Hoffman is making money off candidates he recruited" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/05/28/yee-challenge-horne-republican-primary-superintendent-of-public-instruction" target="_self">Kimberly Yee</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alexander Kolodin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/01/alexander-kolodin-announces-arizona-secretary-of-state-bid" data-vars-content-id="9346e458-d9ce-457c-b99c-134f82e9da2b" data-vars-headline="Jake Hoffman is making money off candidates he recruited" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/01/alexander-kolodin-announces-arizona-secretary-of-state-bid" target="_self">Alexander Kolodin</a> — raise conflict of interest concerns with political observers and ethics experts.

Fontes: Supreme Court ruling on Trump's mail-in voting order changes nothing

An injunction in a separate case still blocks Trump's mail-in voting order after Supreme Court win.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A U.S. Supreme Court ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/supreme-court-mail-in-ballot-rules" data-vars-content-id="d0d5cb1b-55e6-47fa-9f26-30426bbc5487" data-vars-headline="Fontes: Supreme Court ruling on Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order changes nothing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/supreme-court-mail-in-ballot-rules" target="_self">A U.S. Supreme Court ruling</a> on President Trump&#x27;s executive order to restrict mail-in voting won&#x27;t matter for now because of an injunction in a separate case challenging it, according to Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.Driving the news: The high court on Monday ruled that a group of states that sued over Trump&#x27;s executive order lacked standing to bring the case.

Exclusive: Democrat Amish Shah wins second police endorsement over Feely

The race could flip the House of Representatives.

Amish Shah, the Democrat nominee in Arizona&#x27;s 1st Congressional District, has picked up a second notable endorsement from a law enforcement union in his race against Republican candidate Jay Feely.Why it matters: The endorsement, from the Maricopa County Sheriff&#x27;s Office Deputies Law Enforcement Association (DLEA), gives the former state lawmaker and longtime emergency room doctor a boost as he looks to flip a seat that Republicans have controlled for years.

Mayes clears Hobbs in pay-to-play investigation

The AG's pay-to-play investigation that's loomed over Katie Hobbs for two years is now over.

The Attorney General&#x27;s Office on Friday cleared Gov. Katie Hobbs in an investigation into pay-to-play allegations involving a group home company that got a massive rate increase from the state after making major contributions to the governor and the Arizona Democratic Party.Why it matters: The bribery allegations surrounding Sunshine Residential Homes have loomed over Hobbs for the past two years and threatened her reelection campaign.

School voucher reform measure booted from November ballot

The Arizona Supreme Court upheld a trial judge's ruling that keeps Prop. 212 off the ballot.

A wide-ranging <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measure to curtail the state&#x27;s school voucher program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/18/empowerment-scholarship-account-esa-vouchers-reforms-ballot-measures" data-vars-content-id="41865c0d-811a-4f92-89e5-7c429f521210" data-vars-headline="School voucher reform measure booted from November ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/18/empowerment-scholarship-account-esa-vouchers-reforms-ballot-measures" target="_self">measure to curtail the state&#x27;s school voucher program</a> is dead after a legal challenge left it without enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot.Why it matters: The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program has become a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="political lightning rod" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/06/26/arizona-legislature-special-session-esa-vouchers-ballot" data-vars-content-id="41865c0d-811a-4f92-89e5-7c429f521210" data-vars-headline="School voucher reform measure booted from November ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/06/26/arizona-legislature-special-session-esa-vouchers-ballot" target="_self">political lightning rod</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="partisan dividing line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/01/09/arizona-gov-katie-hobbs-legislative-agenda-2024" data-vars-content-id="41865c0d-811a-4f92-89e5-7c429f521210" data-vars-headline="School voucher reform measure booted from November ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/01/09/arizona-gov-katie-hobbs-legislative-agenda-2024" target="_self">partisan dividing line</a>.

Ralph Heap gets his cash for Corporation Commission race

Heap's Clean Elections funding had been withheld over questions on who paid for campaign signs.

Republican Ralph Heap will finally get the Clean Elections money he needs to run for the Corporation Commission, but he also faces an investigation into his campaign finances. Why it matters: Heap&#x27;s campaign has been running without funding since winning the GOP nomination for one of two seats on the Corporation Commission, which regulates utilities and sets rates.

Hobbs picks former GOP Mesa Mayor Giles as her running mate

Katie Hobbs looks to appeal to the center.

Gov. Katie Hobbs on Tuesday announced former Mesa Mayor John Giles as her running mate, making a push for the political center as she faces a tough reelection fight.Why it matters: Republicans have a substantial voter registration advantage in Arizona, and Hobbs must appeal to center-right voters and independents if she wants to win a second term.

New poll shows Hobbs with comfortable lead over Biggs

The poll also shows a smaller advantage for Attorney General Kris Mayes.

Election

Gov. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Katie Hobbs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/07/28/katie-hobbs-democratic-governors-association" data-vars-content-id="724459de-8500-4dde-9aaa-108baa4e7e15" data-vars-headline="New poll shows Hobbs with comfortable lead over Biggs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/07/28/katie-hobbs-democratic-governors-association" target="_self">Katie Hobbs</a> led Republican challenger Andy Biggs by 8 points in a poll of likely Arizona voters <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commissioned by the AARP" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aarp.org/government-elections/arizona-poll-2026/" data-vars-content-id="724459de-8500-4dde-9aaa-108baa4e7e15" data-vars-headline="New poll shows Hobbs with comfortable lead over Biggs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aarp.org/government-elections/arizona-poll-2026/" target="_blank">commissioned by the AARP</a> and released Thursday.Why it matters: The poll, which also showed smaller <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Democratic advantages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/house-democrats-arizona-dccc-shah-delbene-2026" data-vars-content-id="724459de-8500-4dde-9aaa-108baa4e7e15" data-vars-headline="New poll shows Hobbs with comfortable lead over Biggs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/house-democrats-arizona-dccc-shah-delbene-2026" target="_self">Democratic advantages</a> in the races for attorney general and control of the state Legislature, offers an intriguing snapshot of the electorate three months out of the general election.

Politics 🇺🇸

Candidates may have to refund millions in Clean Elections money

Jake Hoffman is making money off candidates he recruited

The 8 ballot propositions to know for Arizona's election

Fontes: Supreme Court ruling on Trump's mail-in voting order changes nothing

Exclusive: Democrat Amish Shah wins second police endorsement over Feely