Arizona ballot referrals get proposition numbers ahead of November election

PHOENIX — Arizona voters now have proposition numbers to go with a slate of policy fights state lawmakers sent to the November ballot before adjourning last month.

The Arizona Legislative Council on Wednesday finalized analyses for the measures, which include proposals dealing with elections, public-sector unions, school spending, transgender student athletics and photo radar.

The referrals were approved during the closing days of the 2026 legislative session, which ended June 13. Because proposed constitutional amendments and other legislative ballot referrals do not require Gov. Katie Hobbs’ signature, the Republican-controlled Legislature was able to send several measures directly to voters despite opposition from Democrats and the governor.

HCR 2044 will appear as Proposition 142, while HCR 2040 will appear as Proposition 143. HCR 2001 has been assigned Proposition 144, and HCR 2048 will appear as Proposition 145.

Three additional referrals received numbers in the 300 series: HCR 2003 will appear as Proposition 318, SCR 1004 as Proposition 319 and SCR 1032 as Proposition 320.

Proposition 144, sponsored by Rep. Alexander Kolodin, would make a series of changes to Arizona election law beginning in 2028. Among other provisions, it would require government-issued identification to vote, restrict voting in Arizona elections to U.S. citizens, prohibit certain foreign contributions to candidate and ballot-measure campaigns and require voters to have an option to tabulate ballots at voting locations.

Proposition 143 would place new restrictions on public-sector labor organizations. The proposal would prohibit school districts from using public money or resources to support labor organizations and would restrict payroll deductions for union dues. It would also limit the ability of state and local governments to negotiate certain employment agreements with public-sector unions.

Proposition 320 focuses on school spending. It would require larger school districts, as well as districts operating in Maricopa and Pima counties, to direct at least 60% of operational spending toward instructional expenses. Districts that fail to make progress toward that threshold could face reductions in Classroom Site Fund distributions, although the measure includes provisions for waivers.

Proposition 318 addresses school athletics and sex-designated facilities. Beginning in 2027, it would require school athletic teams to be designated according to the sex of participating athletes and would restrict access to certain athletic restrooms, locker rooms and private spaces based on sex.

Proposition 319 would place limits on automated traffic-enforcement systems. The measure would generally prohibit new photo-enforcement systems while allowing jurisdictions with contracts in place by the end of 2026 to continue operating them if local voters approve their use. Those jurisdictions would have to return to voters every 10 years to retain the systems.

The Legislature also referred measures involving preferential-treatment policies and Empowerment Scholarship Accounts for military families.

The proposition assignments move the measures into the next phase of the election process as state officials prepare publicity pamphlets and ballot language ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Republican lawmakers have argued that voters should have the final say on issues including election rules, school spending and photo enforcement. Democrats opposed many of the referrals during the legislative session, arguing that lawmakers were using the ballot to advance policies that had failed to win bipartisan support at the Capitol.