Arizona Voters Consider 10 Propositions on November General Election Ballot  

Arizona voters will consider 10 propositions when they make their choices this election season.

The propositions, which, if passed by voters, become law, range from allowing immigrants without illegal status to qualify for in-state tuition to medical debt interest rates. 

Here are five of the bigger propositions included on the ballot..

Proposition 309: Voter identification

This measure would require the affidavit accompanying an early ballot and return envelope to be capable of being concealed when returned. The proposal requires a voter to write their birth date, a state-issued identification number or the last four digits of the voter’s social security number, and signature on an early ballot affidavit. The proposition requires certain photo identification issued by the State of Arizona, or a tribal government or the United States government, to receive a ballot at an in-person voting location; removing the ability to receive a ballot at an in-person voting location without photo identification when showing two other identifying documents. Further, it requires the Arizona Department of Transportation to provide, without charge, a nonoperating identification license to individuals who request one for the purpose of voting.

Critics argue the measure makes it more difficult to vote.

Proposition 308: Classification of students for tuition purposes

This measure would allow any Arizona student, regardless of immigration status, to receive in-state tuition at state universities and community colleges if they graduated from, and spent at least two years attending, an Arizona public or private high school, or homeschool equivalent. The measure thereby allows any Arizona student, regardless of immigration status, to be eligible for state financial aid at state universities and community colleges.

Critics argue the proposition encourages illegal immigration.

Proposition 209: Predatory debt collection protection

Proposition 209 would reduce the maximum interest rates on medical debt from 10 percent to no more than 3 percent per year; increasing exemptions from all debt collection for certain personal assets, including a debtor’s home, household items, motor vehicle, and bank account. The measure also decreases the amount of disposable earnings subject to garnishment to no more than 10 percent of disposable earnings, but allows a court to decrease the disposable earnings subject to garnishment to five percent based on extreme economic hardship.

Critics argue the measure will shift debt costs onto other borrowers and make it more difficult for consumers to obtain credit.

Amber C. Russo, Spokesperson for Protect Our AZ, explains her stance, “If Proposition 209 passes in November, the average citizen should expect a higher “cost of credit” no matter which side of the $51,000/year income threshold they are on.”

Propositions 128 and 129: Legislature initiative and referendum

These proposals would amend the constitution to allow state lawmakers to amend, divert funds from, or supersede an initiative or referendum measure enacted by the people of Arizona if the measure is found to contain illegal or unconstitutional language by the Arizona or United States Supreme Court. The propositions would also amend the constitution to limit each initiative measure to a single subject and require that subject to be expressed in the title of the initiative measure.

Critics argue this weakens the power of Arizona voters to change state law.