By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona voters approved four statewide ballot measures addressing girls’ sports, local taxes on groceries, drug cartels, and photo radar, while rejecting a proposal restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in government, the Associated Press reported Wednesday morning. Three additional propositions remained uncalled at the time.
Propositions 316, 317, 318, and 319 passed, while Proposition 142 failed. Unofficial returns showed Proposition 141 leading narrowly, while Propositions 144 and 320 trailed.
The results reported as of 8:16 a.m. MST on November 4, with all 15 counties reporting, were:
| Proposition | Yes | No | AP call |
| 141 — Vehicle mileage taxes | 50.70% | 49.30% | Uncalled |
| 142 — Government DEI restrictions | 40.07% | 59.93% | Rejected |
| 144 — Election requirements | 46.80% | 53.20% | Uncalled |
| 316 — Local grocery taxes | 61.38% | 38.62% | Approved |
| 317 — Drug cartel designation | 57.03% | 42.97% | Approved |
| 318 — Girls’ sports and athletic facilities | 58.90% | 41.10% | Approved |
| 319 — Photo traffic enforcement | 61.05% | 38.95% | Approved |
| 320 — School district spending | 48.62% | 51.38% | Uncalled |
The figures reflect ballots reported at that time and remain unofficial.
Proposition 318, designated the “Protect Girls’ Sports in Arizona Act,” prohibits males from participating in female interscholastic and intramural sports, using biological sex recorded on an athlete’s original birth certificate.
The measure requires public and private schools and athletic associations sponsoring those activities to designate teams or sports by sex or as coeducational or mixed. It also establishes sex-based access requirements for restrooms, locker rooms, and showers integral to athletic participation at schools, higher education institutions, and athletic associations. The proposition expands who may bring lawsuits over alleged violations.
The measure broadens existing Arizona law, which applied athletic-team designation requirements to public schools and private schools competing against them. The Yes on 318 campaign named Christine Jones and former Arizona State Treasurer Jeff DeWit honorary co-chairs, with Warren Petersen, Andy Biggs, and Alex Kolodin also announcing support.
Proposition 316 limits local taxes on food and certain nonalcoholic beverages intended for home consumption. New taxes and increases require voter approval and are subject to a 2% ceiling.
Existing rates of 2% or more approved on or before January 1, 2025, cannot be increased under the measure. It also prohibits covered tax increases and new taxes during the period from June 30, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
Proposition 317 declares drug cartels to be terrorist organizations and directs the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to use all lawful means within its authority to address their threats. The measure defines cartels as associations engaging in human smuggling, drug trafficking for profit, or acts of terrorism. It also states that the designation does not support a claim for asylum under federal law.
Proposition 319 prohibits state agencies and local authorities from using photo enforcement for speeding or traffic-control violations unless they have an operating contract in place on or before December 31, 2026.
The vote follows scrutiny of Phoenix’s revived photo enforcement program. The Goldwater Institute recently questioned the program’s financial incentives, including payments to contractor Verra Mobility of $3,000 per camera monthly and $20 per paid ticket. Phoenix described the program as a cost-recovery operation supporting its Vision Zero road-safety plan. Under Proposition 319, qualifying existing local programs would face a public vote on continued operation.
Voters rejected Proposition 142, which proposed constitutional restrictions on preferential treatment, discrimination, and specified DEI practices across state and local government and public education.
Its provisions included prohibitions on requiring or soliciting certain race-based statements as conditions of employment, admission, contracting, or other opportunities. It also would have restricted public spending on specified offices, programs, and activities at public educational institutions, subject to exceptions outlined in the measure.
Among the uncalled measures, Proposition 141 would amend the Arizona Constitution to prohibit state and local governments from imposing taxes or fees based on miles traveled in a motor vehicle. It would also prohibit monitoring or limiting mileage without voluntary consent, with exceptions for government vehicles and certain interstate commercial vehicles.
Proposition 144 would establish constitutional election requirements beginning January 1, 2028. Those include government-issued proof of identity before voting, an option for Election Day tabulation at the voter’s voting location, and prohibitions on foreign nationals contributing or spending money to influence Arizona elections.
The proposal also reaffirms citizenship requirements and sets a standard for laws governing elections, including early and mail voting.
Maricopa County reported that 23,400 voters tabulated early ballots at vote centers on Election Day during the 2026 primary. County officials credited that option, along with ballot-processing improvements, with enabling the county to report 99% of results the following day. Proposition 144 would guarantee voters statewide an Election Day option to have their ballots tabulated at their voting locations.
Proposition 320 would require school districts with at least 7,500 students, or operating a school in a county with at least 500,000 residents, to direct at least 60% of operational spending toward direct instructional expenses.
Beginning in fiscal year 2027–2028, districts below that threshold would have to increase their instructional share annually until compliant. Districts failing to meet the requirements could face reductions in classroom site fund allocations, subject to a waiver. The auditor general would define the spending categories used to determine compliance.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
