Voter Insights

In addition to informing the Arizona Voters’ Agenda, CFA’s surveys of likely voters reveal many areas of general agreement among likely voters. These findings offer important context on voters’ outlooks, preferences, and the key factors shaping their priorities.

VOTERS' VIEWS OF CANDIDATES AND LEADERSHIP

• More than half of likely Arizona voters (56%) do not believe their current elected leaders represent their interests.
• 60% of voters do not believe that current Arizona candidates are addressing their most important issues.
• 65% of voters say the top factor in electing a leader to office is their “position on the issues” or whether they “have clear plans or solutions.”
• 62% of voters prefer leaders who are willing to work across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions.
• Much of the data signals a desire among the electorate for more and better long-term planning at the state level. This arises across several issues, especially as it relates to preparing for Arizona’s continued growth.

PERCEPTIONS SHAPING ISSUE PRIORITIES

Election Issues

• 91% of Arizona voters are “slightly," “somewhat,” or “very concerned" about divisiveness and partisanship in current politics, with the majority in the latter category (69%). The vast majority, 80%, also believe, “Our democracy is under threat and at risk for future generations.”
• Despite concerns about the political climate, 81% of likely voters also believe that their vote can change things for the better, and their support for reforms suggests a motivated electorate.
• Nearly three-fourths of voters report finding it "very easy" to participate in Arizona elections, and another 20% say it is "somewhat easy."
• 63% of voters believe we should encourage voter participation and continue to make it easy to vote over having election results sooner. "Late early ballots and ballots dropped off on Election Day can make it take longer to have election results, but everyone should have a chance to have their vote counted."

In a February 2025 poll, after the 2024 election:

• 70% of likely voters agree with the statement, “Our democracy is under threat and at risk for future generations.”
  • All Voters: 70% Agree (31 % Somewhat + 39% Strongly); 24% Disagree; 6% Not sure
  • Republicans: 59% Agree
  • Democrats: 85% Agree
  • Ind/UN: 69% Agree

• 58% of likely voters agree with the statement, “We can trust the local and state officials who administer our elections to ensure that they are conducted fairly, accurately, and securely.”
  • All Voters: 58% Agree (37% Somewhat + 21% Strongly); 34% Disagree; 8% Not sure
  • Republicans: 53% Agree
  • Democrats: 69% Agree
  • Ind/UN: 52% Agree

Water & Environment

• 67% do not believe that “Arizona’s current water policies are sufficient to ensure long-term water sustainability.”
• 70% of voters say, “Arizona is not ready for a major emergency, weather crisis, or the next pandemic to hit our state. We must do more to increase our planning and preparedness to ensure we are ready when the next disaster happens.”

Education

• 64% of voters say Arizona’s K-12 education system should be in the Top 25% Nationally.
• In rating K-12 Education in Arizona, just 10% describe the current K-12 public education system as “excellent” or “very good,” while 35% say “ok,” and 46% say “poor” or “failing.”
• On whether the K-12 public education system is improving, 49% say it is definitely or probably getting worse, 33% say it is “staying about the same” and 10% say “definitely or probably improving.
• 66% of voters say that the recent cuts to the state’s need-based financial aid program are the wrong direction for Arizona.

Taxes & State Spending

• 52% are not confident that Arizona is prepared for future growth.
• While 55% of voters agree that the taxes they pay in Arizona are “just about right,” 71% do not believe “we are investing our tax dollars in the right things.”
• 68% of voters are willing to pay more taxes for issues important to Arizona’s future, and 69% support maintaining low tax rates for long-term economic growth. Neither item achieves the strong or total agreement criteria for inclusion in the Arizona Voters’ Agenda.
• 81% of voters across political affiliations generally agree that “beyond income taxes, there are
  other sources of potential revenue for important areas such as education, infrastructure, and other priorities. We need to explore ways to expand revenue sources to ensure the state’s long-term growth and success.” With strong support of 47%, it narrowly misses the 50% strong support criteria for inclusion in the Arizona Voters’ Agenda.

Housing

• Eight in ten view rent and home prices in Arizona as too high.
• Seven in ten believe homelessness is a crisis or serious issue.