Proposition 319 is on the ballot this year as a legislatively referred state statute relating to the prohibition of traffic photo enforcement systems.
A "yes" vote supports prohibiting state agencies and local governments from using photo enforcement systems to identify violators of traffic laws, unless the agency or government has installed such systems by Dec. 31, 2026.
It also requires local governments to obtain voter approval of existing photo enforcement systems at a referendum in the November 2027 election.
If the voters fail to approve the continued operation of the existing photo enforcement system, the local authority must cease operations of the photo enforcement system within 90 days after the election.
If approved, the agency may continue operating the systems for 10 years. At the conclusion of each 10-year period, the local authority must seek approval again for an additional 10-year term.
A "no" vote will maintain current laws governing photo enforcement systems.
Proposition 319 regards traffic photo enforcement systems, not automated license plate reader systems.
Traffic photo enforcement includes speed and red-light cameras that activate only when a specific violation occurs and retain evidence just long enough to process a citation.
ALPRs, on the other hand, continuously log every passing vehicle to build a searchable record of movement. These are the systems that have come under criticism recently for privacy and surveillance concerns.
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Sen. Wendy Rogers of District 7 and Sen. Mark Finchem of District 1, both Republicans who co-sponsored and introduced Proposition 319, did not respond to requests for comment.
In a press release from Arizona Senate Republicans, Rogers said Arizonans deserve a voice in whether automated ticketing systems operate on their streets.
"This measure restores accountability and makes sure enforcement decisions are made by voters specific to each town or city, not outsourced systems that many residents believe prioritize fines over fairness," Rogers said. "If these programs truly have public support, they should be able to earn it at the ballot box."
Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, said he is against the proposition because if it passes, cities without photo enforcement by the end of the year may never have it at all.
He said Tucson is a good example of why red light cameras are necessary because it lacks affordable enforcement and has many dangerous intersections.
"One day, their city council may wake up and realize that they could save a lot of lives at these dangerous intersections with red light cameras, but they won't ever be able to do it," Humble said.
Humble said the proposition is relevant to ASU students, as accidental deaths by vehicle collision remain the leading cause of death in the age demographic.
READ MORE: Tempe Police Department, students address traffic camera installations
Democratic Sen. Lauren Kuby of District 8 said in a written statement she is voting no on Proposition 319, calling red-light cameras a "proven tool that keeps roads safe and protects human lives," especially at intersections.
"Prop 319 does not ban or regulate surveillance cameras—it only dismantles traffic safety tools," Kuby said in the statement. "Do not confuse red-light and speed safety cameras with ALPR license plate tracking."
Alex Zhao, a junior majoring in political science and economics, said in a written statement that he plans to vote in the midterms and will vote no on Proposition 319, as Arizona has "the highest number of red-light-running fatalities, there is no reason to limit municipal control on photo enforcement."
"Personal privacy is a huge political talking point right now, and ... there should be reform and talks about privacy and overreach," Zhao said. "However, this will not be achieved through limitation of local government, and instead requires collaboration with public health and safety groups."
Republican Sen. John Kavanagh of District 3, the Senate majority leader, said he supports Proposition 319.
He said photo radar is "unfair" and "has many flaws," mainly due to unequal application, lack of discretion and being overly burdensome.
"Police officers exercise discretion as to when they will pull somebody over," Kavanagh said. "Photo radar, on the other hand, concerning speeding, is (giving) anybody doing 11 miles or more over the speed limit a ticket."
Kavanagh also said the way citations are issued is unfair. He said once drivers are photographed by radar, speeding tickets are sometimes not issued if the vehicle is rented or used for commercial purposes, or if the driver identified does not match the registration.
"Only a small percentage of the people, based on most of these rules, even get the summons in the first place," Kavanagh said. "That's not equal, just enforcement."
Arizona voters will decide what the future of photo enforcement systems will look like on Nov. 3.
Edited by Andi Ruiz, Emilio Alvarado, Kate Gore and Senna James.
Reach the reporter at swang496@asu.edu.
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Quinn is currently a first-year Barrett student studying Business Data Analytics & Supply Chain Management with a minor in fashion. She is the Professional Development Intern for ASU's DECA Chapter and a part of Phi Alpha Delta in addition to being a politics reporter at the State Press.
