Oppose SCR 1027: Protect Local Control and Voter Engagement

I urge you to oppose SCR 1027, sponsored by Senator JD Mesnard, which would amend the Arizona Constitution to consolidate mayoral, city council, and school board elections with presidential and midterm elections. This proposal threatens both local control and meaningful voter engagement in municipal races. Forcing all local elections onto the same November ballot as federal and state races will exacerbate ballot fatigue. When voters face lengthy ballots crowded with high-profile national contests, they often skip down-ballot races entirely. Local elections determine who fills potholes, sets school curricula, and manages municipal budgets. These decisions directly impact daily life, yet they risk being overlooked when buried beneath presidential campaigns and congressional races. The financial burden on local candidates would become prohibitive. A school board candidate currently running in a standalone election can reach voters with modest resources. Under SCR 1027, that same candidate would need to compete for attention against well-funded congressional and statewide campaigns dominating airwaves and mailboxes. This creates an insurmountable barrier for community members who want to serve but lack access to significant campaign funds, effectively limiting who can run for local office to those with substantial financial backing. Most critically, this resolution strips cities and school districts of their authority to determine their own election timing. Local control is a foundational principle of Arizona governance. Communities should retain the right to structure their elections in ways that best serve their residents and encourage focused participation in local issues. SCR 1027 imposes a one-size-fits-all mandate that disregards the diverse needs of Arizona's municipalities and school districts. I ask you to vote against SCR 1027 in the Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee. Preserving local autonomy and ensuring voters can give proper attention to municipal races serves Arizona communities far better than this forced consolidation.