Arizona Voters Likely to See Slew of Ballot Measures in November

State legislature pushing through measures that Governor Hobbs has previously vetoed

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Arizona Legislature is weighing dozens of proposed ballot measures for the November 2026 election, including legislation that Governor Katie Hobbs has previously vetoed. This includes measures to ban countywide polling locations and in-person early voting, as well as a proposal to add a "fundamental and inherent right" to refuse vaccines and other medical treatments. Democrats have criticized these efforts as a way to "circumvent" the governor's veto power.

Why it matters

Arizona voters could face a lengthy ballot with a wide range of measures, some of which are seen as attempts by the Republican-controlled legislature to override the Democratic governor's vetoes. This raises questions about the role of direct democracy and the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches in the state.

The details

The Arizona Legislature is considering measures such as House Concurrent Resolution 2016, which would require counties to offer voting locations by precincts rather than countywide polling places and ban in-person early voting. Governor Hobbs vetoed a similar bill last year, but the legislature is now trying to bypass her veto by putting it directly on the ballot. Other measures, like House Concurrent Resolution 2056, would enshrine a "fundamental and inherent right" to refuse vaccines and other medical treatments in the state constitution.

  • The Arizona Legislature must pass any proposed ballot measures by this Friday, February 28, 2026.
  • Voters will see at least three measures on the November 2026 ballot that were referred by the legislature, including limits on grocery sales tax, banning fees on vehicle mileage, and designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

The players

Katie Hobbs

The Democratic governor of Arizona who has vetoed some of the legislation the Republican-controlled legislature is now trying to put directly on the ballot.

Nancy Gutierrez

The House Minority Leader, a Democrat who has criticized the legislature's efforts to bypass the governor's veto power as "disrespectful to both Hobbs and voters."

Nick Kupper

A Republican state representative who is sponsoring a ballot measure to ban medical mandates like school vaccine requirements, arguing it's an issue "for voters - not lawmakers - to decide."

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What they’re saying

“This is the way they go around the veto, and nobody wants these bills.”

— Nancy Gutierrez, House Minority Leader (abc15.com)

“The people of Arizona have never once had the opportunity to decide for themselves if they want the state to be able to mandate what they do with their bodies, or if they want to have that ability to choose what happens to their bodies themselves.”

— Nick Kupper, State Representative (abc15.com)

What’s next

All proposed ballot measures must pass one chamber of the Arizona Legislature by this Friday, February 28, 2026 in order to be considered for the November 2026 election.

The takeaway

Arizona voters could face a lengthy and contentious ballot in November 2026, with the Republican-controlled legislature attempting to bypass the Democratic governor's veto power on a range of issues by putting them directly to voters. This highlights the ongoing political tensions in the state and the role of direct democracy in the legislative process.