Arizona's midterm elections are less than a month away, and voters will choose who they want to lead the state.
Below is information about the statewide races on voters' ballots this November and The State Press' coverage of the midterm elections:
Elections
In 2026, voters will decide whether to keep several incumbent officials, including the governor, attorney general and secretary of state. A Republican and a Democrat are fighting to be the state's next superintendent of public instruction.
Several state and local ballot initiatives have also been referred to voters, including measures on taxes, election procedures and affirmative action.
There are multiple ways to vote.
Anyone currently registered to vote in Maricopa County can request a mail-in ballot by Oct. 23. The county recommends mailing in ballots by Oct. 27.
Although Election Day is Nov. 3, voters can drop off or cast their ballots in person at polling locations beforehand.
To inform voters, The State Press interviewed and obtained statements from statewide candidates ahead of Election Day.
Governor
Gov. Katie Hobbs (D)
Hobbs is the current governor of Arizona, and formerly served as Arizona's secretary of state and in the Legislature, according to her Ballotpedia page. She attended NAU for her undergraduate degree and ASU for her master's degree. She is a native Arizonan and has experience in social work.
Hobbs stated she knows firsthand the struggles young Arizonans face, as she put herself through Arizona colleges on scholarships, drove for Uber and is still paying off student loans.
"As governor, I've prioritized students by lowering everyday costs, cutting taxes on tips and overtime, and expanding scholarships and apprenticeships," Hobbs said in a written statement. "But there's more work to do, and I'm excited to do it alongside the next generation of Arizona leaders."
Rep. Andy Biggs (R)
Biggs represents Arizona's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House. Per his Ballotpedia profile, he earned his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, a law degree from the University of Arizona and a master's degree from ASU.
In the U.S. House, he served for two years as chairman of the House Freedom Caucus and co-chairs the Border Security Caucus. In a written statement, Biggs said his administration would lower taxes, build more homes, reduce energy costs and crack down on the flow of fentanyl.
"Every Sun Devil student and future grad should believe they can achieve the American Dream right here in Arizona," Biggs stated. "I'm asking for your vote for Governor because that will be our vision every single day we serve."
Teri Ann Hourihan (No Labels) and Risa Lombardo (Green) are also running for governor.
Attorney General
Attorney General Kris Mayes (D)
Mayes is the current attorney general of Arizona, and her career experience is in law. She received a bachelor's degree and a law degree at ASU and her graduate degree at Columbia University. She previously served as a Republican statewide elected official at the Arizona Corporation Commission.
"We do so much at the Attorney General's office that I think positively impacts students and young people," Mayes said.
Mayes said she went after software company RealPage and nine major landlords for raising rent, which impacts people at ASU and young people across the state.
"I want ASU students to be able to not just go to school here, but to stay in Arizona," Mayes said. "That means we have to preserve our water supplies and we're doing everything we can to protect our state from federal overreach."
Sen. Warren Petersen (R)
Petersen is a member of the state Senate representing Legislative District 14, which includes Gilbert and parts of Queen Creek, and currently serves as Senate president. He was born and raised in Gilbert and received his bachelor's and law degree from ASU, according to his Ballotpedia page.
"I'm going to restore order and respect to the office," Petersen said in a written statement.
He stated he has a 14-year history of cutting costs and taxes and has been endorsed by every major law enforcement organization.
"Unlike my opponent, I will lower costs, keep Arizona safe and protect girls in sports and private spaces," Petersen stated.
Secretary of State
Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D)
Fontes is the incumbent secretary of state. He is from Nogales, Arizona, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps, according to his Ballotpedia page. Fontes received his bachelor's degree from ASU and his law degree from the University of Denver.
He has worked in the Denver District Attorney's Office, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and the Arizona Attorney General's Office, per his Ballotpedia profile.
"Every eligible voter attending ASU has a voice in this election, and I'm running for reelection to make sure that voice is protected and that voting in Arizona stays secure, accessible, and fair," Fontes said in a written statement.
Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R)
Kolodin is a member of the Arizona House of Representatives representing Legislative District 3. He works as an attorney at his law firm and earned a degree at Georgetown University and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Kolodin said in a written statement he has defended Arizonans as a civil rights attorney and continued that fight in the legislature.
"Your vote is your voice, and you deserve to know it counts," Kolodin stated. "That means secure, transparent elections that play by the rules, with fast election-night results everyone can trust, no matter their party."
Duwayne Collier (Green) is also running for secretary of state.
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Teresa "Terry" Leyba Ruiz (D)
Ruiz has been an educator for 35 years and the former president of Glendale Community College, according to her campaign website. She is a third-generation Arizonan and has earned degrees from ASU and NAU.
"I'm running to keep our students first, to keep everything we do mission-centered around our students, because our students deserve to be lifted, and that's what I want to do," Ruiz said. "I want to lift public education."
Ruiz said students inspire her, and when there is an opportunity, she wants to connect with them.
"As a superintendent, I would sit on the Arizona Board of Regents, and I will always advocate for the voices of our students," Ruiz said.
Treasurer Kimberly Yee (R)
Yee is Arizona's treasurer, the state's chief banking and investment officer, according to her Ballotpedia page. A native Arizonan, she received her bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University and her master's degree from ASU.
"My family has had three generations of ASU graduates, so there is a longstanding relationship that goes back to the days when the school was called Arizona College," Yee said in a written statement.
The focus of her campaign is a "back to basics" approach, emphasizing life skills to equip young students for the workforce.
"It's important for students in our state universities to have an affordable education, high-quality programs, and a strong academic experience," Yee stated. "As State Superintendent, I would serve as a member of the Arizona Board of Regents to identify and meet these goals and ensure Arizona universities are among the best in the country."
READ MORE: Who is the Superintendent of Public Instruction and what do they do?
Ballot measures
Proposition 141
Proposition 141 prohibits cities from imposing taxes and fees on vehicles based on miles traveled or from monitoring an individual's miles traveled without their consent.
This would be a preemptive prohibition, as Arizona does not currently have such a tax or fee, according to Ballotpedia.
Proposition 142
Proposition 142 would prohibit public offices and academic institutions from promoting race- and ethnicity-based preferential treatment, commonly known as affirmative action. According to Ballotpedia, the Arizona constitution already prohibits preferential treatment and discrimination based on race and ethnicity; that ban does not apply to entities like universities that receive federal funds.
The measure would also prohibit state bodies from requiring enrollment in a course or training that promotes race-based diversity, equity and inclusion practices, according to Ballotpedia.
Proposition 144
Proposition 144 would allow only Arizona citizens to register to vote, require government-issued identification to cast a ballot and ban foreign political contributions, according to Ballotpedia. It would also allow voters to have their ballots tabulated at polling locations on Election Day starting in 2028.
Arizona currently requires voters to present photo ID or two forms of non-photo ID when casting a ballot, according to Ballotpedia. There are no ID requirements for absentee and mail-in voting.
Proposition 318
Proposition 318 would prohibit schools and athletic associations from allowing a student, athlete, employee or other individual to use a restroom or other private space such as a locker room that is not designated for their sex, per Ballotpedia. The proposition defines an individual's sex as the status recorded at birth.
According to Ballotpedia, it would also prohibit female athletes from participating on sports teams designated for men. Arizona law already prohibits male athletes from participating on sports teams designated for women.
This would affect all public and private sports and athletic associations across all ages and levels, according to Ballotpedia.
READ MORE: Proposition 318: How it impacts access to sports based on sex
Proposition 319
Proposition 319 would prohibit local and state authorities from using photo enforcement traffic systems, such as devices equipped with radar or sensors to identify traffic violations, according to Ballotpedia.
Per Ballotpedia, local authorities with the systems installed before the end of 2026 could keep them if the measure passes, but they would be required to submit the issue to their voters in a November 2027 referendum election.
If local voters decide against keeping the photo enforcement systems, the authorities would have to end their operations, according to Ballotpedia. If the systems are kept, the local government would have to bring another referendum to its voters every ten years after.
READ MORE: Proposition 319: Prohibiting traffic photo enforcement cameras, not ALPRs
Proposition 424
Proposition 424 would raise the sales tax in Tempe by half a percent to support public safety, public transit and early childhood education, according to the city.
This would bring the current 1.8% sales tax rate to 2.3%, and the city is estimating 50 million in revenue, according to the Arizona Republic. Groceries are exempt from the sales tax.
The State Press' midterm coverage
Below is a timeline of The State Press's coverage, beginning with the most recent developments:
ASU, other state universities work with secretary of state for voter education campaign
Oct. 6, 2026
ASU, UA and NAU have partnered with Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes on a nonpartisan campaign to educate voters ahead of the midterm elections.
The campaign, which will consist of social media posts and two public service announcements, features football players from the three universities and intends to inform Arizona voters on tracking their ballots, voting by mail and returning their ballots on time.
Read the full story here.
Mechanics of Democracy Lab uses AI to improve election security and efficiency
Sept. 28, 2026
ASU's Mechanics of Democracy Lab, founded in 2024, is examining ways to apply artificial intelligence technology to election management.
The lab's director said AI presents misinformation challenges for administering elections but also presents opportunities for preemptively combating false election information.
Read the full story here.
LGBTQ+ voters explain their priorities ahead of midterm elections
Sept. 23, 2026
Members of the LGBTQ+ community said they hope the midterm elections will offer an opportunity to advocate for their rights and push back on anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Legislative races and Proposition 318 were important to LGBTQ+ voters.
Read the full story here.
Organizations work to increase ASU voter registration before midterms
Sept. 23, 2026
Student governments, University offices, clubs and outside groups have worked to ensure students are registered and educated to vote before the 2026 midterm elections.
Their goal is to make sure students' voices are heard and they have opportunities to get civically engaged.
Read the full story here.
Democrat running for Congress attends women’s safety event in Tempe
Sept. 22, 2026
Elizabeth Lee, the Democratic candidate running for a congressional district that encompasses parts of Chandler, Mesa and Queen Creek, attended a women's safety happy hour hosted by the ASU Young Democrats in September.
During the event at Snakes & Lattes in Tempe, Lee discussed with students about improving campus safety and stopping gender-based violence.
Read the full story here.
19-year-old ASU student running to be clerk of Maricopa County Superior Court
Sept. 10, 2026
Seb Matta, a 19-year-old ASU sophomore studying philosophy, is running for clerk of the Superior Court in Maricopa County.
The Democrat's candidacy makes him one of the youngest people to win a partisan nomination for office in Arizona.
Read the full story here.
This story is developing and may be updated.
Andi Ruiz, Imogen Siedare, Quinn Wang, Leticia Natiello, Ariana Hernandez and Kylia Berry contributed to this story.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Alan Deutschendorf III and Senna James.
Is there something you want to see us cover that we haven't? Email editor.statepress@gmail.com.
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