2026 Arizona propositions: What’s on the ballot in Pima County

Pima County voters will face a crowded ballot on Nov. 3, 2026, with decisions reaching from Tucson’s electric infrastructure and Reid Park Zoo to voting rules, school spending, traffic cameras and taxes. The countywide general election will also include a special election for two Tucson measures. Depending on a voter’s city and school district, additional local questions may appear, making it important to review the specific ballot received at home.

Arizona’s statewide measures were placed on the ballot by the Republican controlled Legislature, according to Arizona Public Media. That is significant because several follow legislation that Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed, while citizen initiative campaigns failed to survive court challenges. The measures address contentious subjects, including election administration, race and ethnicity, transgender athletes, drug cartels and transportation funding. Local propositions and school district questions are separate from the statewide measures.

One proposed constitutional amendment would prohibit Arizona from creating a tax based on vehicle miles traveled. It would also prohibit monitoring or limiting how many miles a person drives without consent. The issue is tied to the changing mix of vehicles on Arizona roads. Drivers of gasoline and diesel vehicles pay fuel taxes that help support transportation, while electric vehicle owners generally do not pay those taxes. Supporters emphasize privacy and argue that taxing miles could discourage electric vehicle adoption. Opponents say every person using public roads should contribute to their upkeep.

Another measure would add restrictions involving race and ethnicity to the state’s constitutional rules against preferential treatment and discrimination. It would prohibit requiring employees, students or contractors to support race or ethnicity based preferences, prevent public money from being used to employ people promoting such policies, and bar disciplinary practices that treat students or employees differently based on race or ethnicity. Supporters describe the proposal as a colorblind standard. Critics argue existing law already prohibits discrimination and that the new language could interfere with efforts to address unequal treatment.

A separate election measure would require identification from all voters, including people casting ballots by mail. It would allow voters to request that their ballot be tabulated immediately at their voting location. The proposal also would prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to political campaigns, or anyone from accepting such contributions, and would raise the legal standard for challenging an election law to the level used under federal law. Supporters say the changes would strengthen election security and speed up results. Opponents say noncitizen voting is already prohibited and that requiring identification for mailed ballots could create practical barriers.

Another statewide question concerns grocery taxes. It would prevent new local grocery taxes during a period that began July 1, 2025, and ends June 30, 2027. After that, new or increased grocery taxes would require voter approval and could not exceed 2 percent. Supporters say food is a necessity and that limiting taxes could help households coping with high prices. Critics warn that restricting local governments could force cuts to public services and say local elected officials, rather than state lawmakers, should make those decisions.

Voters will also consider a measure declaring drug cartels to be terrorist organizations and directing the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to use all of its authority to address them. The proposal would not directly impose a new requirement on residents or drug cartels. Its supporters view the designation as a statement that organized drug trafficking constitutes terrorism. Opponents question the value of a declaration that does not include dedicated funding or additional resources.

School sports are the subject of another proposal. It would require student athletes to compete on teams corresponding to the sex assigned at birth, while requiring schools and athletic associations to designate teams for males, females or both. Arizona has about 170,000 student athletes, and the Arizona Interscholastic Association received requests from 16 transgender athletes over five years, according to AZPM. Supporters say the measure protects fairness for female athletes. Opponents say transgender students should not be excluded and that school sports policies should be handled by schools and athletic associations.

Traffic enforcement and public school budgets would also be affected by statewide questions. One measure would generally prohibit traffic cameras, except systems operating under contracts in place by Dec. 31, 2026, and would require local voter approval every 10 years for jurisdictions that use them. The debate centers on privacy and automated enforcement versus the potential benefits of speed and red light cameras. Prop. 320 would require certain districts, including all districts in Pima County, to spend at least 60 percent of operating funds on “direct instructional expenses.” Supporters say the requirement would prioritize classroom spending, while opponents warn that school boards need flexibility and that support staff and services could be reduced. Prop. 318 is also among the education measures listed for the 2026 ballot. In total, eight K through 12 school related questions are expected to appear on ballots in Pima County, including measures affecting Amphitheater, Sahuarita, Tanque Verde and Vail districts. The available information identifies the districts involved but does not provide the full text of each local school question.

Tucson voters will decide two additional measures in the consolidated election. Proposition 421 would approve a franchise agreement allowing Tucson Electric Power Company to build, maintain and operate electric transmission and distribution facilities in city rights of way. In exchange for the right to provide service in Tucson and future additions to the city, TEP would provide franchise fees and other consideration to the city. A yes vote approves the franchise, while a no vote rejects it. Proposition 422 would renew a one tenth cent transaction privilege and use tax dedicated to the Gene C. Reid Park Zoo. The proposed charter amendment would extend the tax for 20 years, from Jan. 1, 2028, through Dec. 31, 2047. The money would support capital projects, infrastructure repair and replacement, exhibit expansion, operations and maintenance. Voters can use the county’s online election information to find early voting locations and ballot drop boxes.