What Makes a “Good Election?” Arizonans Agree on the Answer

A new statewide public opinion survey from Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) finds widespread agreement across political and generational lines on what matters when it comes to elections and broad confidence heading into 2026. The findings show near-universal agreement that fair and secure elections are essential to democracy, trust in the election system and officials who administer elections, and clear public expectations for what constitutes a “good election.” Arizonans also support investments in election administration and actions that make voting easier and elections run more smoothly.

“Too often, conversations about elections start and end with political rhetoric, often led by those who may or may not like the outcome, leading to ill-considered and ill-informed suggestions for changes to our election design,” said Dr. Sybil Francis, CFA Chair, President & CEO. “At CFA we think it’s better to ask Arizonans what they think a good election looks like, and that is exactly what this research is about: what do Arizonans believe a good election should deliver, regardless of party, candidate, or outcome?”

The Good Elections Survey covers what Arizonans expect from elections, what’s working, and what could be strengthened:

Nearly Universal Agreement: Fair and Secure Elections Are Essential to Democracy
The survey finds 97% of Arizonans agree that “fair and secure elections are essential to a healthy democracy,” including 83% who strongly agree. Agreement is high across political affiliations.

Arizonans also believe voting matters: 79% say their vote can change things for the better.

Arizonans Trust the Election System and Administrators
Two-thirds of Arizonans (66%) agree that “we can trust the local and state officials who administer our elections to ensure elections are conducted fairly, accurately, and securely.” This includes majorities across political affiliations.

Outlook for 2026: Results Will Be Accepted
Looking ahead to 2026, nearly three-quarters of Arizonans (73%) believe most Arizonans will accept the certified 2026 election results, and 80% say they personally will accept the certified results, including majorities across political affiliations.

Arizonans Share a Clear Definition of a “Good Election”
When asked what defines a good election, Arizonans show broad agreement across nine tested principles. At least 83% say each principle is essential or important. 

When asked to prioritize the top three most important principles, Accuracy and Trustworthiness rise to the top, with Transparency and Voter access closely tied for third.

“When we lead with shared principles, we can leave rhetoric and conjecture behind and instead measure our elections against what Arizonans value most and better identify actions to strengthen election processes and voter experiences. That’s the opportunity in front of us,” added Dr. Francis.

Misinformation Is a Shared Concern — and Election Officials are the Most Trusted Sources
Misinformation is the top threat Arizonans identify to safe and fair elections. Across party and age groups, 88% say misinformation is a serious or moderate threat, including 60% who call it a serious threat.

Who do Arizonans trust for accurate election information? The people closest to election administration.

When asked, “How much do you trust the following groups or people to provide accurate information about elections?” Arizonans report the highest trust in local election workers, county election officials, and state election officials. Friends and family and nonpartisan civic organizations are also widely trusted.

• Local election workers: 75%
• County election officials: 69%
• State election officials: 67%
• Friends and family: 67%
• Nonpartisan civic organizations: 66%
• News media: 48%
• Politicians and political parties: 43%
• Influencers on social media: 29%

Strong Support for Keeping Early Voting by Mail and Election Day Ballot Drop-Off
In Arizona, early voting includes in-person voting before Election Day and voting by mail. Mail ballots can be returned by mail on or before Election Day or dropped off in person on Election Day.

With regard to voting by mail, 81% support “continuing to allow Arizonans to vote early by mail,” including 68% of Republicans, 95% of Democrats, and 82% of independent/unaffiliated voters.

When asked to choose between faster results and preserving ballot drop-offs through Election Day, nearly seven in ten Arizonans (69%), including majorities across political affiliations, prefer allowing voters to drop off early ballots through Election Day, even if it means waiting longer for results.

In 2024, 81% of Arizona ballots were cast through early voting mail ballots: 73% returned by mail on or before Election Day and 8% dropped off in person on Election Day.

Interest in Changing How Primaries Work
Arizonans show a significant interest in changing how primaries are conducted in Arizona, with 72% preferring open primaries or equal access for all registered voters including independents. Only 21% agree that voting in a party’s primary should be restricted to those registered with that party.

Broad Support for Steps That Enhance the Voter Experience
Proposals for helping elections run more smoothly and improving voter experience also receive broad support. Large majorities across political affiliations back actions such as adding more voting centers (89%), increasing staffing and resources to process and count ballots more quickly (89%), shortening Election Day wait times (87%), expanding early voting locations or hours (83%), and making Election Day a state or federal holiday (78%).

Arizonans Back Investments in Election Administration, Even if it Means a Small Tax Increase 
Notably, Arizonans also support investing in election administration and capacity:

• 87% support increasing funding for hiring more workers, upgrading equipment, or improving vote counting
• 76% support increasing public funding for elections even if it requires a small tax increase

Where Perspectives Differ Offers Useful Insight
The survey also reveals where views and experiences differ across political affiliations and age groups, providing insight into how different Arizonans view elections and what factors increase confidence.

For example, younger voters (ages 18-29) stand out as an important group to watch as Arizona’s electorate continues to evolve. They are more supportive of modernization reforms than older Arizonans and report different patterns in where they trust election information and how they experience voting options:

• Automatic voter registration: 78% support (ages 18-29) vs. 46% (ages 65+)
• Same-day voter registration: 74% support (ages 18-29) vs. 41% (ages 65+)
• Trust people on social media for accurate election information: 54% (ages 18-29) vs. 7% (ages 65+)
• Voting by mail is convenient: 45% (ages 18-29) vs. 67% (ages 65+)

What’s Next
CFA will share its findings with leaders, election officials, media, and communities heading into the 2026 election cycle and beyond. Additional demographic breakouts and audience-specific insights will be shared in upcoming briefings, meetings, and convenings. CFA is also collaborating with Arizona State University’s Mechanics of Democracy Lab (MODL) to share detailed data and explore real-world applications of the findings. MODL convenings in Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff this spring will bring together election administrators, experts, and community leaders to explore more of the survey findings and identify practical takeaways and actions.

“A good election shouldn’t be defined after the fact, based on who wins,” said Bill Gates, Elections Program Director at ASU’s Mechanics of Democracy Lab. “These data give election officials and communities a clearer, measurable guide to what Arizonans value most and will help us identify ways to better engage the public. Clear, consistent public understanding is one of the strongest tools we have.”

Visit arizonafuture.org/goodelectionsaz for survey details and resources.

Survey Methodology
CFA’s statewide, nonpartisan Good Elections public opinion survey was conducted by Noble Predictive Insights November 3-8, 2025. The survey included 1,136 Arizona residents ages 18 and older via opt-in online panel and text-to-online, in English and Spanish. The sample includes an oversample of 338 Hispanic/Latino respondents.

The full sample was weighted to reflect the Arizona general population by gender, region, age, race/ethnicity, and education according to recent Census data. The Hispanic/Latino sample was weighted to reflect the Arizona Hispanic/Latino population by gender, region, age, and education. The margin of error is approximately ±2.9 percentage points for the full sample and ±5.3 points for the Hispanic/Latino sample.

The Good Elections Project is supported in part by Don Budinger, John and Kathleen Graham, Burton Family Foundation, Lodestar Foundation, Pivotal Foundation, Thomas R. Brown Family Private Foundation Fund held at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, the Arizona Democracy Resilience Network (ADRN), and Save Democracy.

About Center for the Future of Arizona
Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "do-tank" that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. Through its extensive survey research & communications, Arizona Progress Meters, and impact initiatives & programs in education, workforce, and civic health, CFA listens to Arizonans to learn what matters most to them, shares trusted data about how Arizona is doing in those priority areas, brings critical issues to public attention, and works with communities and leaders to solve public problems. CFA’s work is focused on building The Arizona We Want – a research-informed vision of success for the state, where all Arizonans, now and in the future, thrive and enjoy sustained prosperity, unmatched quality of life, and real opportunity.