Restoring balance in our elections starts with Proposition 140

One of Arizona’s best-kept secrets might just be how much Arizonans agree on big important issues that matter to our state and our civic life. This might come as a surprise to your out-of-state friends and family, who, if they are anything like mine, see Arizona as hopelessly divided and ideologically extreme thanks to how we’re portrayed by the national media. But that narrative doesn’t capture who we really are.

The heated rhetoric hides the fact that Arizonans agree much more than we disagree on the issues that matter most. Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA)’s public opinion survey research shows that even in a hotly contested presidential election year, we can find common ground among Arizonans. CFA’s 2024 Arizona Voters’ Agenda provides a comprehensive view of what Arizonans want from our leaders, and it’s not ideological division and partisan politics. Across a range of critical issues, the data show that strong majorities of voters across political affiliations agree on key priorities such as: action to protect our water supplies; comprehensive immigration reform; lower housing costs; long-term planning for our state; and bipartisan solutions. The list goes on. But is this what we are getting?

Unfortunately, there are huge disconnects between where we agree and outcomes of our elections and policy actions.

Why is that? One major culprit is our current partisan primary system, which fuels division and rewards extremism. That’s why Proposition 140, the Make Elections Fair initiative needs to pass. By creating open primaries and reforming the primary system, Prop. 140 will ensure that the interests of the few no longer overshadow the voices of the many.

What’s the problem with our current partisan primary system? It is in the grips of the most ideologically driven voters who send the most partisan candidates to the general election. These candidates can pivot all they want when they get to the general election, but they will always be listening most closely to those base voters who can ensure their victory in their next primary. Effectively, a small base of voters in partisan primaries is setting the political agenda for all of us.

While Prop. 140 aligns elections with voter priorities, Prop. 133 — proposed by the Legislature — does the opposite. Prop. 133 aims to maintain the current partisan primary and prohibit open primaries from being established. Prop. 133 is out of step with what voters want and would prevent much-needed reforms. That’s why it’s critical to vote yes on Prop. 140 and no on Prop. 133 to ensure Arizona’s elections reflect the voice of the people.

If we’re going to tackle the big questions facing our state, we need leaders who reflect the electorate’s shared priorities.

Prop. 140 isn’t about suppressing partisan voices–it’s about making space for the majority of voters who feel sidelined by a system that doesn’t reflect what’s important to them. Opening the primary system is a critical step in creating a healthier political environment that leads to outcomes better serving our communities.

It’s no surprise there’s opposition to Prop. 140, especially from those benefiting from the current system. Change can be unsettling because it introduces unknowns. Change has always been a part of our nation’s history, especially in our electoral processes. We didn’t always have primaries, and many groups were once excluded from voting. Change is how we’ve progressed toward a more inclusive and fair democracy.

While no single reform can perfect democracy, Prop. 140 represents a significant step forward. It will incentivize candidates and parties to serve the broad interests of voters and lead to more representative outcomes. Every politician, regardless of party, should have to earn support from the majority in every election. That’s what open primaries move us toward—for all voters, including independents and party-affiliated Arizonans alike.

It’s time to make our primary system more inclusive, responsive, and reflective of all Arizonans. That’s why CFA supports voting yes on Proposition 140.

Let’s build the Arizona of tomorrow on what brings us together, not the partisan divisions that pull us apart.

Sybil Francis, Ph.D., is chair, president & CEO of Center for the Future of Arizona, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state.