Voting is almost here on November 5.

Your ballot is a very complicated and lengthy document! The What’s on My Ballot book is huge. Here is a simplified summary of the ballot initiatives, focusing on how they would impact the CFR mission of Building Strong Communities Where Children Can Reach Their Full Potential.

Please take the time to read through the arguments for and against the propositions. Make a plan to vote and encourage your clients to vote please.

CFR only took a formal position on one of the initiatives. This is not intended to tell you HOW to vote.

Proposition 133/Proposition 140

Mandates Partisan Primaries/Mandates Non –Partisan Primaries (so Independents can vote in primaries)

Put on the ballot by our legislature to fight against the people’s initiative that strives to create non-partisan primary elections.

Impact to CFR’s mission: In non-partisan primaries the top two vote getters advance to the General Election. Candidates likely become more moderate as they need to get votes from everybody, not just Republicans or Democrats Could thus eliminate some of the more radical extremist voices in our legislature who could not win a non-partisan primary. We want state government that funds our mission and programs better.

People in favor of creating non-partisan primaries will vote NO on 133 and YES on 140

Proposition 134

Making it nearly impossible to get new citizen driven initiatives in the future. The legislature hates it when the people propose new laws and then vote to pass them. This is how First Things First, and expansion of AHCCCS, for example, came to be. If this passes, signatures from each county will be required in order to qualify a new initiative

Impact to CFR’s mission: Imagine CFR without First Things First, lottery funds that help pay for Healthy Families, and a significantly higher percentage of our families without health care. Since our legislature has failed to act in support of its citizens in so many ways, it has been the people who have taken advantage of their ability to pass new laws

Proposition 135

Gives legislature more power to curb Executive Emergency Actions by the Governor.

Imagine if our legislature had to approve emergency actions. Sometimes the governor needs to have the power to act to declare emergencies, such as when COVID struck.

Impact to CFR’s mission: Not clear. In public health emergencies or disasters, fast action is required. If we had a legislature that was more supportive then perhaps this would be needed. However, the system of checks and balances now in place does not require amending the constitution

Proposition 136

Another poison pill related to 134, where legislature wants to stop initiatives. This one allows anyone to sue that a new proposed initiative is unconstitutional before it is voted on, thus making it almost impossible to get through the lawsuit process before the election. People already can and do challenge initiatives before and after they pass; this makes it that much easier

Impact to CFR’s mission See 134

Proposition 137

Many people were outraged that our Supreme Court upheld the 1864 abortion restriction law. They seek to vote out two of the judges who supported this decision, as these judges are up for re-election on the ballot. This initiative would create a special law that cancels the normal merit selection/retention process, essentially protecting the two justices on the ballot from being removed even if the voters want this

Impact to CFR’s mission: None except for a fairness argument and stopping end-around plays to protect these two justices from regular process.

Proposition 138

Put on the ballot by the Restaurant Industry lobbyists who encouraged the legislature to support this. While they claim it will help waitresses and waiters earn more overall pay, the vast majority of our sister advocacy agencies believe that it will result in net loss of pay and power for tipped employees. They can never be guaranteed the same minimum wage as everyone else, and for every waiter at a high-end restaurant who makes a lot in tips, there are many others who barely scrape by.

Impact to CFR’s mission: We believe in paying a living wage and recognize the devastating impacts of poverty on our citizens, particularly children. Anything that likely keeps more people from earning more pay is contrary to our work

Proposition 139

The Arizona Abortion Access Act will allow decisions about reproductive health care to be made by women and their health care providers.

Impact to CFR’s mission: As an agency with a focus on maternal health and preventing child maltreatment, it is important to remember that unwanted children are far more likely to suffer child abuse and other negative adverse events in their lives. The board of CFR has endorsed this initiative as it is so related to our mission and purpose.

Proposition 311

Increases death payments to families of fallen first responders. This money is generated by increasing the fines charged to persons convicted of criminal acts.

Impact to CFR’s mission: Not related other than some argue that first responders already receive significant compensation and benefits and if new revenues are going to be generated from new fines, then perhaps there are better uses of those dollars (e.g. education)

Proposition 312

Criminalizing homelessness. Likely unconstitutional initiative that allows business owners to reduce their property taxes while also allowing jailing of homeless persons. Opposed by all of our sister human service agencies working in the housing and homeless spaces

Impact to CFR’s mission: This will result in FEWER people living in strong communities where children can reach their full potential

Proposition 313

Increases penalties and mandates excessive punishments for a broadly redefined definition of sex traffickers. Read the NO argument on page 310 of the guide. Will cause far more harm and unneeded excessive jail sentences for non-violent offenders

Impact to CFR’s mission: Life prison sentences should not be forced on all people. Takes away judge’s discretion. Will harm more vulnerable families without adding benefit

Proposition 314

Secure the Border Act. A likely unconstitutional law will give state authorities such as police and sheriffs freedom to arrest suspected undocumented persons. Unfunded mandate as who pays for the prison costs of all arrested as suspected of being undocumented. Will cause terror and discord in immigrant communities. Giving state officials powers that are federal/border patrol responsibilities. Opposed by all of our sister human rights organizations

Impact to CFR’s mission: Will lead to some of our clients further withdrawing from society, not receiving services they are eligible for, and taking dollars away from the already strapped state to pay for more people in jails.

Proposition 315

Taking away power of state agencies to make rules/regulations by requiring them to be approved by State Legislature. Agencies have experts who write the implementation rules and regulations for their programs. The legislature does not have the time, expertise, or talent to approve all agency regulations

Impact to CFR’s mission: Would further cripple and slow up our funding entity’s such as AHCCCS, DCS, DES power and ability to do their work

It’s almost timetable, are you prepared? Where do I vote? https://my..vote/WhereToVote.aspx?s=address

What’s on your ballot? https://elections.maricopa.gov/voting/voter-dashboard-login.html

Find your Arizona state legislator:https://www.azleg.gov/findmylegislator/

Find your Congressman: USA Senator & Representative https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

Election information: Who’s running? For what? https://azsos.gov/elections/election-information/2024-election-information

Ballot breakdown: https://ballotpedia.org/Arizona_Sample_Ballot