Arizona Voters Want Action, Not Just Words

With Arizona’s General Election approaching, new statewide research finds voters want more than candidates’ positioning on issues, they want to know what actions candidates will take on their highest priorities. They want to hear directly from the people asking to lead them about the solutions they would pursue and how they would make progress.

The latest 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda findings from Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) reinforce what CFA has heard consistently across years of statewide research and engagement with Arizonans. They care deeply about the state’s future, want leaders focused on the issues affecting their lives and communities, share more common ground than the political narrative, and value problem-solving, long-term thinking, and meaningful progress. The new findings show how those expectations are carrying into the 2026 election.

“Arizonans want to know what candidates will do about the issues that matter most to them and to Arizona’s future,” said Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of Center for the Future of Arizona. “Voters have already given us a remarkably clear picture of the outcomes they want. They are looking for candidates who will engage those priorities directly, explain credible plans, and give Arizonans confidence that they can turn those plans into progress. That is an opportunity and a responsibility for anyone asking to lead in our state.”

Voters Place a Premium on Hearing Directly From Candidates

Ninety-three percent of Arizona voters say it is important to have opportunities to hear candidates directly answer questions about issues that matter to most voters, including 80% who say it is very important. The expectation is near-unanimous across political affiliations, with 94% of Republicans, 91% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 94% of Democrats saying those opportunities are important.

The finding points to a clear need in the election conversation. Voters want candidates to directly address the issues that matter to them and explain what they would do. The Arizona Voters’ Agenda helps meet that need by identifying voters’ priorities and the questions they raise for candidates and leaders, keeping what voters want visible through the election and into governing.

Most Voters Prioritize Practical Solutions

When asked to choose between approaches to representation, 63% say they would rather elect leaders who develop practical solutions to Arizona’s biggest challenges, even if they do not agree with them on every political issue. That preference also extends across political affiliations, including 59% of Republicans, 67% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 64% of Democrats. Conversely, 33% prefer leaders who consistently stand up for their political values, even if doing so makes agreement harder.

The majority finding adds to a longstanding theme in CFA’s research. Across more than two decades of listening to Arizonans, CFA has consistently found that people often share more common ground than the political narrative reflects and value practical solutions, long-term thinking, collaboration where possible, and leadership focused on making progress on the issues affecting Arizona’s future.

Voters See a Future Worth Building

Voters’ expectations for candidates and leaders are paired with optimism. Sixty percent of likely voters believe Arizona’s best days are ahead, including majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independent and unaffiliated voters.

That optimism exists alongside the significant challenges voters have identified throughout the Arizona Voters’ Agenda. Voters see areas where Arizona needs greater progress while continuing to believe in what is possible for the state.

“Arizonans confirmed they are optimistic about Arizona's future, and that makes their expectations of leadership even more consequential,” Dr. Francis added. “Optimism is not the same as satisfaction. Voters see real challenges and gaps between what they want and the progress they see. But they also believe Arizona can move forward. The message to leaders is to understand the shared priorities, bring forward solutions, and show how you will help deliver the future Arizonans believe is possible.”

More Arizona Voters’ Agenda Insights Available as the Election Continues

These findings are the latest addition to CFA’s 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda, building on research released earlier this summer and expanding the picture of what voters want for Arizona, the experiences and concerns shaping those priorities, and the expectations they have for candidates and leaders.

CFA is sharing additional findings on education, economic opportunity and workforce, water, growth and infrastructure, healthcare, and elections, along with updated Questions for Candidates & Leaders the research raises.

The Arizona Voters’ Agenda is intended to be more than a snapshot of public opinion. It provides a trusted resource for understanding what voters want leaders to prioritize, asking how candidates and governing leaders would act on those priorities, and ultimately assessing whether leadership translates into meaningful progress.

CFA is sharing the research directly with candidates, governing leaders, journalists, business and civic leaders, legislators, and community organizations through briefings, presentations, and public discussions designed to keep Arizona voters’ priorities visible in elections and public decision-making.

The Arizona Voters’ Agenda is informed by high-quality statewide public opinion research conducted by HighGround, Inc. The surveys examine a wide range of issues, approaches, public concerns, experiences, and priorities among likely Arizona voters.

Within that broader research, CFA applies a deliberately high standard before identifying an item as an official Arizona Voters’ Agenda Shared Priority. At least half of all voters must strongly support it, and it must also receive majority support among Republicans, Democrats, independent, and unaffiliated voters, and every age group surveyed. This distinguishes broad agreement across the electorate from a simple statewide majority.

Explore the full 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda at ArizonaFuture.org/AVA.