IN FOCUS - July 31, 2026

This week, separate courts tossed from Arizona’s General Election ballot a pair of GOP-backed ballot referendums - dealing conservatives a significant loss before a single ballot is cast. 

Both measures were deemed in violation of the State’s single-subject requirement, which prohibits ballot measures that bundle multiple topics into one proposal.

First, a Superior Court rejected Proposition 143. It sought to kneecap the teachers union by barring school districts from deducting union dues or using any public money or resources to support a labor organization. The measure was also deemed to block local governments from collectively bargaining with police and firefighter unions.

Next, a different Superior court struck down Prop 145. On its face, the proposal sought to preserve the ESA program for students of military families, but the measure also included a poison pill that indicated its passage would render moot any other ballot measure found to be in violation of Prop 145. In other words, passage of Prop 145 would have voided Prop 212 - a citizens’ initiative that proposes a host of reforms to the ESA program, including an income cap and spending guidelines for voucher recipients.

Prop 145 backers have said they will appeal the ruling. Notably, there seems to be no such appetite to appeal the decision against Prop 143. Some Republican candidates, facing blowback from influential public safety unions, are no doubt secretly glad to see Prop 143’s demise and disappearance as an electoral issue.

There could be more upheaval on the way. ESA advocates are challenging signature petitions filed for Prop 212, and that issue is set to be argued in court in a few weeks. 

Early voting starts in just 68 days!