October 2026

With Election Day approaching, the 2026 Arizona Voters' Agenda offers a clear message for the future:

• 60% of Arizona voters believe our state's best days are ahead.
• 63% prefer electing leaders who develop practical solutions to Arizona’s biggest challenges, even if they don’t agree with them on every political issue, rather than leaders who stick to ideology when it makes agreement harder.

From education and economic opportunity to affordability and water, the election is an important moment to hear how candidates will address voters’ shared priorities. What matters next is turning those commitments into action and results.

Explore and share the findings, hear what candidates have to say, and help keep Arizonans' priorities at the center of leadership beyond Election Day.

The Workforce Leadership Academy is back in Southern Arizona, expanding access to professional learning for workforce development leaders across the region. In partnership with Pima Community College and the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, the Academy provides a collaborative environment for workforce leaders to strengthen their knowledge and skills, identify and address local and regional systems-based challenges, and develop shared solutions that advance economic mobility and opportunity for all Arizonans.

Learn more, sign up for an upcoming Info Session, and apply by Dec. 6.

Sometimes, creating lasting change starts with one person who sees what's possible—and inspires others to invest in it.

For Skylie Estep, South32's Human Resource Director for the Americas, participating in Center for the Future of Arizona’s (CFA) 2023 Southern Arizona Workforce Leadership Academy (Academy) — a key CFA workforce initiative that develops leaders who can drive systems change in their communities — sparked a commitment to help others make a difference.

Inspired by the power of bringing local leaders together to tackle workforce challenges, she championed South32's investment in the Academy so more leaders could have that opportunity. South32 continues its support, and Skylie is helping shape the next Academy in 2027.

It's a reflection of the commitment South32 and CFA share to building The Arizona We Want — investing in leaders, strengthening communities, and expanding economic opportunity.

The Academy brings leaders from business, education, government, and community organizations together to develop strategies that address regional workforce challenges, help more Arizonans access good jobs, and meet employers' needs.

We're grateful to South32 for recognizing that investing in people today can create opportunities for generations to come.

CFA received the national Catalyst of the Year award at FullScale Learning’s 2026 Symposium, in recognition of leadership in bringing educators, schools, and partners together to advance personalized learning. Through the Arizona Personalized Learning Network, CFA's work now spans four districts, 39 schools, more than 1,500 educators, and nearly 80,000 students. The recognition highlights how sustained collaboration is helping schools create learning experiences that better prepare students for success and build lasting change across Arizona's education system.

Across Arizona, CFA is working with businesses, civic leaders, and research partners to bring Arizonans' voices and priorities into conversations that inform decisions and action. These collaborations are helping organizations connect their work and impact to the priorities and future we share as Arizonans.

Desert Financial Credit Union is helping its employees connect their work to the people and communities they serve. As part of its annual employee event, Desert Financial invited CFA's Evelyn Casuga, Ian Dowdy, and KaRa Lyn Thrasher to lead a session exploring who Arizonans are, what they value, and the challenges shaping our state's future. Bringing The Arizona We Want to employees helps businesses deepen their understanding of customers and communities, engage their teams around Arizona's shared priorities, and champion a stronger future for our state.

Arizona's business and civic leaders shape the state's future through their decisions, investments, and influence on public policy. At the 2026 APS Statespersons' Luncheon, hosted by APS and PHX East Valley Partnership, CFA Chair, President & CEO Dr. Sybil Francis shared findings from the 2026 Arizona Voters' Agenda with more than 300 business, civic, and elected leaders. The insights helped frame the day's conversations with candidates around what matters most to Arizona voters, bringing shared priorities for education, economic opportunity, water, and effective leadership into discussions about the upcoming election.

ASU's Fall Election Convening brought together election officials, researchers, civic leaders, and media to examine election challenges, public confidence, and changes being widely discussed. During one panel, CFA's Dr. Sybil Francis joined former Congressman Matt Salmon and election expert David Becker to discuss research on Arizonans' views and expectations for elections and how voters' priorities can inform election policies and decisions.

Bring CFA's research and insights to your organization or community, partner with us on research and initiatives that turn Arizonans' shared priorities into action, and support the work that's helping build a stronger future for our state.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, Nov. 2 for Lattie Coor, beloved co-founder and Founding Chair Emeritus of Center for the Future of Arizona.

The memorial will be held in person at the campus of Arizona State University and livestreamed online. Those wishing to honor Lattie are invited to register to attend or watch online and share photos and memories when registering to attend.

In a new op-ed for Independent Newsmedia, CFA Chair, President & CEO Dr. Sybil Francis explains what Arizona law already requires, what Prop 144 would change, and why voters should understand what their vote would do before amending the Arizona Constitution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early voting is underway in Arizona, and many Arizonans have already cast their ballots! If you haven't voted yet, make a plan to participate by Tuesday, Nov. 3. Arizona Clean Elections' 2026 Voter Education Guide is a nonpartisan resource to learn about candidates and ballot measures and find out what's on your ballot. Encourage friends and family to participate, too. Every vote is an opportunity to have a say in Arizona's future.