List of Arizona ballot propositions
The following is a partial list of Arizona ballot propositions.
The initiative and referendum process in Arizona has been in use since Arizona attained statehood in 1912. The first initiative was passed the same year Arizona was granted statehood when on November 5, 1912, an initiative relating to women's suffrage was passed by a greater than two to one margin. The initiative process has long been a staple of Arizona politics, with 15 proposals appearing in the 1914 election, and more recently in 2006 when voters were presented with 19.
Prior to 1976, ballot propositions were not assigned a measure number. Since then, they have been identified by a 3-digit number. Ballot propositions beginning with "1" are initiatives and referendums to amend the state constitution, those beginning with "2" are initiatives to amend state statutes, and those beginning with "3" are referendums on acts to amend state statutes.
2000s
2006
Shaded entries indicate citizen initiatives and referendums. Full text of each proposition is available .2004
Shaded entries indicate citizen initiatives and referendums.| Prop. num. | Passed | YES votes | NO votes | Description |
| 100 | No | 818,497 | 892,654 | Would have amended the constitution to allow for the exchange of state trust lands with other public lands. Substantially similar to Proposition 101 of 2002. |
| 101 | Yes | 894,807 | 726,167 | Amended the constitution to require all subsequent ballot initiatives and referendums specify a new source of revenue for any required expenditure. |
| 102 | No | 792,277 | 853,632 | Would have amended the constitution to allow the state to license or transfer any technology or intellectual property created within the state university system in exchange for ownership interests or securities in the acquiring company. |
| 103 | Yes | 896,706 | 767,253 | Amended the constitution to require that any temporary appointments to the office of Justice of the Peace have the same qualifications as a permanent candidate for the office. |
| 104 | No | 536,410 | 1,147,169 | Would have amended the constitution to move the filing deadline for ballot initiatives from 4 months prior to the election, to 7 months. Petitions would still be allowed to circulate for 20 months prior to the deadline. |
| 105 | Yes | 1,046,048 | 638,620 | Amended the constitution to add 2 positions to the State Board of Education. |
| 200 | Yes | 1,041,741 | 830,467 | Requires that voters be able to produce both identification and proof of citizenship prior to being allowed to vote in any election. The same requirements were also enacted for any person prior to receiving any state or locally funded benefits. |
| 300 | No | 699,575 | 1,076,494 | Would have raised the salary of state legislators from $24,000 to $36,000. |
2002
Shaded entries indicate citizen initiatives and referendums.| Prop. num. | Passed | YES votes | NO votes | Description |
| 100 | No | 479,702 | 659,378 | Would have amended the constitution to allow counties, cities and towns to incur additional amounts of debt for the construction of transportation infrastructure. |
| 101 | No | 558,658 | 577,462 | Would have amended the constitution to allow the state to exchange state trust lands for other public lands, provided the exchange was for land of equal or greater value and conservation of lands was maintained. |
| 102 | Yes | 907,410 | 221,281 | Amended the constitution to clarify the income requirements pertaining to a section of the constitution allowing senior citizens to freeze their property values with regard to property taxation. This amendment clarified changes enacted by Proposition 104 of 2000. |
| 103 | Yes | 924,161 | 224,709 | Amended the constitution to add to the list of crimes for which certain accused offenders could not qualify for bail. The amendment added sexual assault, sexual conduct with a minor under 15, and molestation of a minor under 15. Previous wording in the constitution listed capital offenses and felonies under other specific circumstances. |
| 104 | Yes | 758,695 | 323,626 | Amended the constitution to exempt certain sources of funding from an existing expenditure limit on public school districts. Specifically, revenues earned through a sales tax enacted by Proposition 301 of 2000, as well as Proposition 300 of 2002, were exempted from this restriction. |
| 200 | No | 173,126 | 995,686 | Would have directed the Governor to enter into revised gaming compacts with any of the native tribes that request a new compact. |
| 201 | No | 234,935 | 947,341 | Would have directed the Governor to enter into revised gaming compacts with any tribe upon request. This proposition would have also modified existing state law to allow for the use of slot machines on horse and dog racing facilities. |
| 202 | Yes | 610,900 | 590,064 | Directed the Governor to enter into revised gaming compacts with any of the native tribes that request a new compact. This proposition differed from Proposition 200 in its allocation of the state's share of gaming revenues as well as imposing additional limits on the location of gaming facilities. |
| 203 | No | 504,607 | 678,446 | Would have decriminalized the possession and use of small quantities of marijuana. The proposal would also have required the state to supply 2 ounces of medical grade marijuana to certain seriously or terminally ill patients. |
| 300 | Yes | 855,687 | 274,316 | Redirected certain budgetary surpluses from the state land trust program to education. The statute specified that these funds were to be in addition to, rather than a replacement for, funding of education from other sources. |
| 301 | Yes | 845,072 | 317,246 | Extended the expiration date of the state lottery program from 2003 to 2012. |
| 302 | Yes | 803,354 | 348,369 | Allowed first time offenders of personal drug use or possession to be eligible for treatment and probation in lieu of incarceration except in cases where other drug related crimes have been committed. |
| 303 | Yes | 791,295 | 389,619 | Increased the tax rate on cigarettes and other tobacco products by over 100%, while maintaining the current laws regarding the expenditure of the revenues from the sale of tobacco products. |
| 304 | No | 361,902 | 771,271 | Would have increased the salary for state legislators from $24,000 to $36,000. |
2000
Shaded entries indicate citizen initiatives and referendums.| Prop. num. | Passed | YES votes | NO votes | Description |
| 100 | No | 669,630 | 706,518 | Would have amended the constitution by making several changes dealing with state trust lands. Among the changes would be the conservation of up to as protected lands, the ability to transfer trust lands to school districts without compensation, and change the manner in which lands are sold or transferred. |
| 101 | Yes | 886,774 | 546,439 | Amended the constitution to update the language with regard to disabilities. The amendment also updated the language to stipulate 18 as the minimum age to vote in line with the US Constitution, as well as dispensing of a one-year residency requirement. |
| 102 | No | 538,104 | 896,500 | Would have amended the constitution to require subsequent ballot initiatives relating to the taking of wildlife on public lands be passed with a two-thirds majority to take effect. |
| 103 | Yes | 743,284 | 659,748 | Amended the constitution to expand the Corporation Commission from three to five members, reduce the length of a term from six to four years, and increase the term limit from one to two terms. |
| 104 | Yes | 906,395 | 513,825 | Amended the constitution to allow property owners over the age of 65 to request that their property valuations for taxation purposes be frozen and immune to increase, provided the property is their primary place of residence. |
| 105 | Yes | 975,869 | 450,971 | Amended the constitution to exempt cemeteries from property taxation. |
| 106 | Yes | 784,272 | 612,686 | Amended the constitution to establish the Citizens' Independent Redistricting Commission to draw legislative and congressional district boundaries. Prior wording held the state legislature responsible for redrawing boundaries in accordance with the decennial census. |
| 108 | No | 281,017 | 1,152,998 | Would have amended the constitution to deregulate telephone companies in markets where significant competition exists. Existing language stipulates that the Corporation Commission is responsible for setting rates. |
| 200 | Yes | 837,557 | 605,094 | Would have set into law the method of disbursing and spending the approximately $3.2 billion the state anticipated to collect as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. Targeted for the funds include education aimed at the prevention of tobacco use among minors as well as health care. While this proposition passed, it received fewer votes than competing measure Proposition 204 and was thus not enacted into law. |
| 202 | No | 436,345 | 1,027,674 | Would have enacted a comprehensive reform of growth management, including the requirement for cities and towns with a population of 2500 or greater to adopt growth management plans, prohibiting development beyond identified urban growth regions. The proposition would have also enacted numerous changes to county and municipal zoning procedures. |
| 203 | Yes | 925,415 | 542,942 | Requires all public school instruction to be given in the English language, except students designated as "English Learners" who would be placed in an intensive English immersion program. |
| 204 | Yes | 903,134 | 532,317 | Sets into law the method of disbursing and spending the approximately $3.2 billion the state anticipated to collect as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. Targets for the funds include education aimed at the prevention of tobacco use among minors as well as health care. Substantially similar to Proposition 200. As this proposition received more votes, it supersedes the provisions of Proposition 200. |
| 300 | No | 521,603 | 922,462 | Would have increased the salaries of legislators from $24,000 to $30,000. |
| 301 | Yes | 778,807 | 675,941 | Enacts a sales tax increase of 0.6% for 20 years for the purpose of funding education. |
1990s
1994
Shaded entries indicate citizen initiatives and referendums.| Prop. num. | Passed | YES votes | NO votes | Description |
| 100 | No | 375,336 | 705,766 | Would have amended the constitution to create the office of Lieutenant Governor of Arizona for the purpose of succession in the case of a permanent vacancy of the office of Governor, and to act as Governor during a temporary absence. The proposed wording would have stipulated the office be held by a member of the same party as the Governor and run for office on a joint ticket. |
| 101 | No | 432,616 | 630,955 | Would have amended the constitution to allow state trust lands to be exchanged for other publicly or privately held lands, provided the lands were of equal value and the purpose of the exchange was to consolidate state lands or to acquire land for public purposes. Substantially similar to Proposition 102 in 1992, which was rejected. |
| 102 | Yes | 552,028 | 515,611 | Amended the constitution to exempt animals used primarily for agricultural purposes from being taxed as property. |
| 103 | No | 431,846 | 663,313 | Would have amended the constitution to allow for the passage of laws restricting the right of a person to sue for damages due to injury or death, and would allow for the passage of laws restricting the amounts recoverable as damages in such cases. Existing wording prohibits the passage of any laws restricting these rights. |
| 200 | Yes | 565,096 | 547,189 | Increased the state tax rates on cigarettes and other tobacco products. The majority of the revenue generated by the tax increase was designated for health care for low-income families. 23% was designated as funding for educational programs aimed at the reduction in the use of tobacco. |
| 201 | Yes | 635,277 | 450,581 | Amended state laws regarding the taking of wildlife to prohibit certain methods of capture, prohibiting the use of leghold traps, snares and poisons. The prohibition does not apply to wildlife control or the trapping of non fur-bearing rodents. Substantially similar to Proposition 200 in 1992. |
| 300 | No | 412,585 | 614,626 | Would have created additional rules and procedures involving the taking of private property for public interests. |
| 301 | No | 404,231 | 646,407 | Would have created numerous new rules regarding civil claims. |
| 302 | No | 428,324 | 655,174 | Would have raised the salary for state legislatures from $15,000 to $19,750. |
1990
Shaded entries indicate citizen initiatives and referendums.| Prop. num. | Passed | YES votes | NO votes | Description |
| 100 | No | 466,089 | 567,267 | Proposed constitutional amendment regarding state school and trust lands. Would allow for the exchange of state trust lands with private or other public lands. |
| 101 | No | 401,165 | 622,210 | Proposed constitutional amendment regarding public debt and taxation. Would change the allowed purposes a city or town may incur debt. |
| 102 | Yes | 543,966 | 473,111 | Proposed constitutional amendment regarding the judicial department. Would prescribe the jurisdiction for justice of the peace courts. |
| 103 | No | 354,733 | 687,977 | Proposed constitutional amendment regarding education. Would establish a "classroom improvement program" through additional funding for schools, and requiring core goals be met by school districts. |
| 104 | Yes | 589,870 | 443,930 | Proposed constitutional amendment regarding victims' rights. Provides victims of crimes with additional rights regarding the prosecution of criminals. |
| 105 | No | 180,922 | 865,289 | Proposed constitutional amendment compensation for motor vehicle accidents. |
| 200 | Yes | 648,046 | 394,952 | Proposal to allow funding from the Arizona State Lottery for the use of the State Parks program and the Game and Fish Department for preservation. |
| 201 | No | 231,266 | 820,653 | Proposal to create a state insurance board and create broad regulations regarding automobile insurance. |
| 202 | No | 346,926 | 691,580 | Proposal to alter state statutes regarding waste disposal, including groundwater monitoring. |
| 203 | No | 156,301 | 892,794 | Proposal to alter statutes regarding automobile insurance. |
| 300 | No | 337,868 | 699,589 | Referendum to increase the salaries for elected state officials. |
| 301 | No | 251,308 | 768,763 | Referendum on an act to create a state holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. |
| 302 | No | 517,882 | 535,151 | Referendum on an act to restore Columbus Day as a state holiday, and create a state holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day/Civil Rights Day. |
1912 to 1990
1988
- Proposition 106, establishing English as the official state language passes by a narrow 50.5 to 49.5 margin. Later overturned by the Arizona Supreme Court as unconstitutional in 1998.
Section 2. The official language of the state of Arizona is English.
Section 3. A. Representatives of government in this state shall preserve, protect and
enhance the role of English as the official language of the government of Arizona.
Section 3. B. A person shall not be discriminated against or penalized in any way because the
person uses or attempts to use English in public or private communication.
Section 4. Official actions shall be conducted in English.
Section 5. Rules of construction, clarifies that The constitution does not "prohibit" other communication.
Section 1.notes the law does not apply to:
The teaching of or the encouragement of learning languages other than English.
Actions required under the federal individuals with disabilities education act or other
federal laws.
Actions, documents or policies necessary for tourism, commerce or international
trade.
Actions or documents that protect the public health and safety, including law
enforcement and emergency services.
Actions that protect the rights of victims of crimes or criminal defendants.
Using terms of art or phrases from languages other than English.
Using or preserving Native American languages.
Providing assistance to hearing impaired or illiterate persons.
Informal and nonbinding translations or communications among or between
representatives of government and other persons if this activity does not affect or impair
supervision, management, conduct or execution of official actions and if the
representatives of government make clear that these translations or communications are
unofficial and are not binding on this state or a political subdivision of this state.
Actions necessary to preserve the right to petition for the redress of grievances.
1980
- Proposition 200, providing for a state lottery passes by a narrow 51 to 49 margin.
1968
- Proposition 104, changed the term of office for Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction from two years to four effective with the terms beginning in January 1971.
1946
- Dual initiatives establishing Arizona as a Right-to-work state pass.
1916
- Initiative to abolish the death penalty passes. A similar initiative failed in 1914. Repealed by another initiative in 1918.
1914
- Constitutional amendment protecting citizen initiative from veto power as well as exempting them from repeal by the state legislature.
1912
- Initiative to grant universal suffrage to women passes by a 2 to 1 margin. Arizona's first ballot measure.