Highlights of key propositions and races around the state.
First-timers, long-timers and those in between enthusiastically exercised their right to vote as a record number of Arizonans cast ballots in the 2020 election, which officially came to a close Tuesday at 7 p.m.
As in past elections, close races could take days to decode as officials count early ballots dropped off at the polls. But the first results released by the Secretary of State on Tuesday night showed two tight congressional races, and voters supporting a surcharge on the wealthy to fund public schools, as well as legalizing and taxing recreational marijuana.
Democrats, meanwhile, were hoping a Blue Wave would give them control of the state Legislature for the first time since 1966.
Here’s a look at the key ballot measures and races based upon early voting results.
Proposition 207
Voters approved the Smart and Safe Arizona Act, according to projections.
It would legalize the recreational use and possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for adults 21 and older in Arizona, and establish a licensing system for retail stores largely through already established medical marijuana dispensaries.
Proposition 207 would also change the state impaired-driving law. The measure states that a positive test for tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, would not be sufficient evidence to prove impairment. THC can remain in the body weeks after someone uses the drug.
Proposition 208
The Invest in Education Act was leading, early results showed.
It would impose a 3.5% income tax surcharge to individuals making $250,000 or more or married couples making $500,000 or more.
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee, which analyzes the financial impact of ballot propositions, estimated Proposition 208 would raise $827 million annually for education. At least half of the money would go to hiring and raising the salaries of teachers and certified employees, such as counselors and nurses.
Congressional District 6
Early results showed incumbent Republican Rep. David Schweikert trailing Democrat and former emergency room doctor Hiral Tipirneni in his pursuit of a sixth term.
This traditionally Republican, Scottsdale-based district came into play after the House this summer reprimanded Schweikert for 11 violations of ethics rules centered on years of official misspending and deceit in campaign finance reports.
This is Tipirineni’s third run for Congress, after twice losing in 2018 in the northwest Valley-based 8th Congressional District.
Congressional District 1
Rep.Tom O’Halleran, a Democrat seeking a third term, was leading Republican Tiffany Shedd in one of the most competitive races in the state. President Donald Trump won the northeastern Arizona district in 2016 by one percentage point.
The district is among the few across the country that Republicans hope to flip to their column in a year when Democrats are projected to increase their U.S. House majority.
Shedd ran on a promise to protect insurance coverage for pre-existing health conditions, an issue Democrats have typically hammered Republicans over because of their ongoing efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. She denounced an attack on her that suggested she would turn her back on her diabetic daughter.
Arizona Legislature
in 1966, Republicans took control of both the Arizona House and Senate, the state’s first legislative elections under the one person, one-vote principle.
While Democrats have occasionally wrested control of the state Senate, the GOP has never been out of power in both chambers since Lydon B. Johnson was in the White House.
Democrats have said this might be the year that changes, but they need a net gain of two House and three Senate seats.
Democrats, who two years ago narrowed the GOP majority in the House to 31-29, were targeting seats in the Phoenix suburbs as well as northern and eastern Arizona as possible pickups.
In the Senate, Republicans held a 1713 advantage going into Election Day, and an evenly divided chamber, 15-15, appeared to be possible, according to polling.
In key legislative races:
● Incumbent Republican Sen. Kate Brophy McGee was trailing Democratic challenger Christine Marsh. The two squared off in a tight race two years ago in North Central Phoenix’s District 28.
● In the East Valley, Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler and a former House speaker, was trailing Democratic challenger A.J. Kurdoglu. Outside groups have poured more than $1 million into the District17 race to oust Mesnard, who was elected to the state Senate two years ago.
● In northern Arizona, retired Air Force pilot Wendy Rogers, who has been a perennial candidate for a seat in Congress or the Legislature, is the Republican nominee in District 6. Rogers, who knocked off GOP incumbent Sen. Sylvia Allen in a bruising primary, was trailing Democrat Felicia French of Pine, a retired Army colonel and combat nurse.
In the House, seven or so districts could determine the majority after Democrats picked up four seats in 2018.
Corporation Commission
Voters will decide three crucial races for commissioners, who set utility rates and policies on a board that’s often overlooked in elections.
The Arizona Corporation Commission has five statewide elected officials, the other two seats are up in 2022.
Republicans are running a slate of Lea Márquez Peterson, who was appointed to the commission in 2019; Jim O’Connor, who succeeded in a rare write-in campaign to land a spot on the general election ballot; and Eric Sloan, who runs a public relations firm.
Democrats are running a slate of William ‘Bill’ Mundell, who served nine years on the commission as a Republican; Shea Stanfield, a former Cave Creek Town Council member; and Anna Tovar, the mayor of Tolleson.
Early results showed Mundell, Stanfield and Tovar in the lead, with Peterson in fourth place.
Maricopa County attorney
The race for Maricopa County’s top prosecutor has been contentious.
Republican Allister Adel, the incumbent, was appointed to the office in October 2019 by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors after her predecessor, Republican Bill Montgomery, was named to the Arizona Supreme Court. She’s received the support of police unions and several Republican politicians.
Her opponent, Democrat Julie Gunnigle, grew up in Arizona before becoming a prosecutor in Illinois and Indiana. She has been vocal in her support for criminal justice reform and has the support of various left-leaning organizations and received a shoutout from celebrity singer John Legend.
Early voting showed Gunnigle leading Adel.
Maricopa County sheriff
Democrat Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone four years ago knocked off longtime Sheriff Joe Arpaio and has spent the past four years working to unwind Arpaio’s 24-year legacy.
Arpaio tried to mount a comeback this year, but Republican Jerry Sheridan, Arpaio’s former deputy chief, won the GOP primary and the opportunity to challenge Penzone.
Penzone’s reelection campaign has touted that the Sheriff’s Office under him has increased its compliance rate with federal court orders stemming from a 2007 racial profiling lawsuit in which a federal judge found that deputies, under Arpaio, had violated the civil rights of Hispanic motorists.
Since Sheridan announced his candidacy for sheriff in 2019, he’s distanced himself from his former boss.
In early votes, Penzone was leading Sheridan.
Phoenix mayor
Mayor Kate Gallego faces two challengers in her bid for reelection, Merissa Hamilton and Tim Seay.
Both challengers are first-time candidates and say they are running for office because the city needs better leadership. In Gallego, they face a recently elected incumbent who has raised more than $1 million.
The mayoral and council election is officially nonpartisan, but Gallego and Seay are Democrats and Hamilton is Republican.
Gallego last week received an alleged threat from a Phoenix police officer after the mayor pushed for changes to the way the city investigates claims of police misconduct.
Early results showed Gallego with a lead over her challengers.
Scottsdale mayor
Former Scottsdale City Council members David Ortega and Lisa Borowsky were in a runoff for mayor after Scottsdale voters in the primary election signaled they want a change in leadership.
Concerns about development have dominated City Hall for the last several years, culminating in citizen-driven efforts to prevent commercial development in the city’s desert preserve and taller buildings in Old Town.
It has been over a decade since Ortega, the top vote-getter in August’s primary election, last served on the council, while Borowsky vacated her seat in 2013.
In early voting, Ortega was leading Borowsky.
Gilbert mayor
Gilbert, the largest “town” in America with more than 200,000 residents, will elect a new mayor after Mayor Jenn Daniels announced in February that she would not run for reelection.
Voters are choosing between Matt Nielsen, a charter school service provider who campaigned on prioritizing fiscal responsibility, and Brigette Peterson, who has served on the Town Council from 2015 until April, when she resigned to run for mayor.
In early results, Peterson was leading Nielsen.