BISBEE WIRE 2026 ELECTION ISSUE

Hello, 

This is my totally biased cheat sheet. It is a blatant attempt to woo your vote for the following candidates and propositions. I hope it is helpful.

The information for this issue was compiled from the Arizona Agenda,  Arizona Mirror, as well as the AZ Republic, Arizona Daily Star, and Citizens Engagement Beyond Voting, The editing and snark is mine. 

Depending on what info you want...I've put the cheat sheet first in case you need a copy when you have your ballot. It is followed by asics about your ballot and what to do if problems. Then I have summarized the candidate choices and the propositions. It's long, but not as long as the ballot. 

  This election is a reality check for those conservatives whose party is now a caricature of what it once was. I hope they do not vote.

   The legislative repugnicans have, for the most part, put up a 'C' team of candidates for this election; extremist, poseurs, and kool-aid drinkers. Mostly unresponsive to the real problems residents, beholden to the rich, many of them have not sponsored a bill that is not some flunky version out of DC or ALEC generated. 

   There are also a couple of Green party candidates running that are repugnicans and have been accused of bilking clean elections out of several million dollars by submitting phony names to get on the ballot. I didn't list them. Please don't vote for them

   All eight of the odious statewide propositions were put on by the lazy repugnican legislature. All were failed bills or bills vetoed by Gov Hobbs. To try and get around the gov, they have adopted the throw-all-the-crap-against-the-wall approach to see if they can get something through. There was no concern to about voters who have to wade through the drek of their failed ideas, or of the cost to the counties to print an extra long ballot.

   As I went through the official explanation and the commentaries I became more and more angry. Most of this stuff is punitive/restrictive ( 141, 318, 320); takes away local control (316, 319), stupid & extreme (141,144), dangerous expansive (317).

I hope you vote yes on all the Bisbee props. Home Rule is necessary to enable our city to spend the necessary money for services.Passed every 4 years since 1990.

    I was the chair of the Charter Reveiw committee and most of the changes are cleaning up language and adapting newer technology. Prop 402 is new, establishes a compensation board to review salaries of council and mayor at least every five years. This was an effort to avoid council/mayor from having to recommend salary increases for themselves. A board recommendation would go to the council and then to voters.

   Bisbee schools need to the same level of funding as they have had for the past four years. If it doesn't pass, severe cuts will have be made to operations. It does not raise taxes. (imo the voters pamphlet does a poor job of explaining the override.)

   All elections are consequential, but this one has special import. Please vote to turn the tide. 

fred miller/Bisbee Wire

CANDIDATE ELECTIONS

U.S. Representative in Congress - District  7...GRIJALVA, ADELITA (D)

Congressional District 7 (Bisbee, Douglas, along the border to Yuma and portions of 2 other counties)Population 808,224…Registered Voters 421,765  Republican 20.7%.....Democrat 39.6%...Independent / Other 39.7%

U.S. Representative in Congress - District  6...MENDOZA, JOANNA (D)

Congressional District 6… (most of Cochise County and portions of 4 other counties)

Population  812,709   Registered Voters   537,578,

Republican 35.6%....Democrat 29.7%...Independent / Other 34.7%

STATE OFFICES

Population 7,378,838…Registered Voters 4,340,860

Republican 35.5%...Democrat 28.1%...Independent / Other 36.3%

Governor...KATY HOBBS

Secretary of State…FONTES, ADRIAN 

Attorney General…MAYES, KRIS 

State Treasurer…MANSOUR, NICK

Supe of Public Education…RUIZ, TERESA LEYBA

State Mine Inspector… MATLOCK, BRIAN

Corporation Commissioner (vote for 2)  HILL, JONATHON, PRATTE, CLARA

State Senate LD21…GABALDÓN, ROSANNA

State House LD 21 (vote for 2)...LOPEZ, MIRANDA, HERNANDEZ, CONSUELO

State Senate LD19…KARP, BOB

State House LD19…SWALLOW, AIDEN NICHOLETTE; ANDERSON JACKIE

Cochise County Recorder…Billy Cloud or leave blank

Cochise County Clerk of the superior court…Amy Hunley or leave blank

Justice of the Peace…POPPE, JANUS

Superior Court Judge/Division 1… LARSON, JOEL

STATE PROPOSITIONS

NO..141

NO..142

NO..144

NO..316

NO..317

NO..318

NO..319

NO..320

CITY OF BISBEE PROPOSITIONS

YES…Proposition 400 Alternative Expenditure Limitation/Home Rule option

YES.. Proposition 401

YES…Proposition 402

YES…Proposition 403

YES…Proposition 404

YES…Proposition 405

YES…Proposition 406

YES… Proposition 407

BISBEE SCHOOL DISTRICT

YES…Bisbee School District No. 2 Budget Override Continuation

VOTING BASICS

To check voter status: https://my.arizona.vote/PortalList.aspx 

🔸 October 7 - EARLY VOTING BEGINS​

🔸 October 23 - LAST DAY TO REQUEST BALLOT BY MAIL​

🔸 October 23 - LAST DAY TO MAIL BACK YOUR EARLY BALLOT​​

🔸 October 30 - IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING: LAST DAY​ ( EARLY VOTING IS OPEN UNTIL 7:00 PM ON  FRIDAY BEFORE ELECTION). ⏰

🔸 November 3 - ELECTION DAY!​​

🔸 November 8 - SIGNATURE CURING DEADLINE​

The most secure way to early vote is to fill out the ballot, seal it with your name, and take it to the  Ballot Box Location at the Cochise County Recorder 1415 Melody Lane. The ballot box is only available Mon-Fri 8-5 due to security reasons. You may also vote in person beginning today.  

   If you experience a problem while trying to vote or deposit your ballot at an Early Voting Center or at the polls, call the county recorder at this number 520 432-8350.

   If you mail your ballot, do it early (mail in Bisbee goes to Phoenix after 2pm. It is possible that it could be several days before your ballot is received by the county elections dept.)

    Election Protection Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) 

SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES

US Rep CD7...Adelita Grijalva. Say no more, this is one stand-up person, would like to see her make a run for prez. 

Daniel Butierez a 3-time loser for this seat, is out of his league, Actually a likable guy, but can't cut the mustard.

US Rep CD6...JoAnna Mendoza, a political newcomer, a swabbie and a jarhead-a 20 yr veteran. Good working class politics. 

Juan Ciscomani, the incumbent despite his attempts to portray himself as a moderate, has vote 100% of the trump agenda. 

STATE OFFICES

Gov...Katy Hobbs has done ok, vetoing most of the extremist repugnican bills that made it to her desk. A middle of the road dem, she has protected the state's resourses, and represented us fairly well. She has been somewhat handcuffed by the dems being a minority party and unable to get legislation through,.

Andy Biggs supported rioters who beat police on Jan 6, voted to raise social security age, voted against releasing Epstein files, voted for raising health care costs, voted for the butt ugly bill, a refusenik on unfavorable election results. To combat 'wokeness' in schools he wants to put cameras in the classroom! He's a trump flunky and reflects the extremists that now control the republican party.

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Lt. Governor...John Giles running with Hobbs is a former republican that the party left, now independent he has supported Hobbs for years. He was the mayor of Mesa for 11 years.

Sine Kerr, a dairy co-owner and long time member of the AZ farm bureau. Formerly in the lege.

_______

Secretary of State..Adrian Fontes. Another who has served diligently watching over voters rights and fighting against restrictions. Sometimes pugnacious, but doesn't back down from protecting voters' rights. 

Alexander Kolodin is an election denier, was sanctioned by the State Bar of Arizona for bringing a suite with no evidence challenging the 2020 election. He originated efforts to restrict voting and was an original sponsor of Prop 144. Besides looking like a guy you wouldn't want around children, he was arrested for littering in 2020 throwing a can of Spiked Sparkling Raspberry Rosé from his car. I mean really, that says it all!

________

Attorney General...Kris Mayes. A fighter for our rights, she has been active in many co-lawsuits against federal actions, and also has secured water rights for residents, opposes corporations taking of water, upholds consumer rights in various cases, challenged utility rate hikes, secured a $7 million settlement for APS over extreme shut off practices, and much more. She is a good un. 

Warren Peterson has been an attorney for a couple years, never practiced law. It is iffy if he is legal according to A.R.S. § 41-191 that clearly states that Arizona’s attorney general “shall have been for not less than five years immediately preceding the date of taking office a practicing attorney before the supreme court of the state.” That requirement is mandatory. He is a poseur. 

________

State Treasurer...Nick Mansour is the former CEO of AZ College of nursing. First time running for office with some interesting ideas about state lands.

Elijah Norton is a business guy, who has donated millions to republicans. Another first timer. 

________

Superintendent of Public Instruction...Teresa Leyba Ruiz is a former math teacher in K-12 and colleges. A retired president of Glendale community college. Her working life has been in education. She sees reform of the ESA vouchers necessary to bring more money to public schools.

Kimberly Yee is a career bureaucrat running for 5 state offices, including governor and treasurer, during the past 16 years. She has no experience in education, but has bounced around in the state bureaucracy for 16 years. A staunch advocate for more vouchers and has no plan for oversight. 

________

State Mine Inspector...Brian Matlock. An advocate for worker safety and environmental considerations when mining. Hobbs appointed the current guy in office running against him, Walter Presmyk. 

________

Corporation Commissioner (2)...Johnathon Hill and Clara Pratte One of the most important races because their decisions affect all residents each month. They vow to rein in the republican dominated commission that has given utilities much of what they want in terms of price increases. The commission has abandoned renewable energy goals, while letting utilities make yearly adjustments without public input. Current commission has made many decisions detrimental to consumers.

Kevin Thompson is on the commission and runs a consulting firm with a data center as client. Dr. Ralph Heap is being investigated by clean elections for failing to report spending for political signs. $300,000+ is being withheld. Heap has also been reprimanded by the AZ Medical Board for a post surgery care for a patient. 

________

State Senate LD21...Rosanna Gabaldon is a lock.

State Senate LD19...Bob Karp who has an uphill battle against the 81 year old Gail Griffin, the queen of water protection for private interests. (not on the Bisbee ballot) 

State House LD 21 (2)...Miranda Lopez, Consuelo Hernandez. Consuelo is part of a family of politicians, her sister, Alma, is a rep and her brother a former rep. The Hernandez family are staunch supporters of Israel, and that colors their action in the lege. Both of them have voted with repubs  on issues, including a constitutional convention,  and there is some animosity towards them for that. The district is heavily dems and opponents are novices. 

State House LD 19...Aiden Swallow and Jackie Anderson are vying to take away the seats from David Gowan and Lupe Diaz. (Gowan, Diaz, Griffin have defied  term limiting by switching seats in the past few elections.) Gowan often pushes his firecracker business association while Diaz held a prayer session on the house floor, a no-no. (not on the Bisbee ballot) 

________

County Recorder and County Clerk are repubs that are unopposed

________

Justice of the Peace...Janus Poppe  Yep he is a keeper. unopposed

________

Superior Court Judge Division 1...Joel Larson  Another keeper. unopposed

SUMMARY OF PROPOSITIONS

Resourses: For contributions to candidates, go here to Open Secrets, the most complete site for federal and state candidate financial data.

Popular Information is releasing PaidForBy.info, a web app that gives you unprecedented insight into who is really sending you mail — and who is paying for it. All you have to do is take a photo of the front and the back of the political mailer and upload it. Go here And The tool also works on television and streaming ads. Just pause the screen when the “Paid For By” text appears at the end, take a photo or screenshot, and upload it to PaidForBy.info.

Proposition 141 A Constitutional Amendment

A legislatively referred constitutional amendment (SCR 1004) It would add a section to the Arizona Constitution that prohibits:

• Any state or local tax or fee based on vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

• Laws or rules that monitor or limit the miles a person drives without their consent.

 Amends the Arizona Constitution to bar all levels of government from imposing a tax or fee based on vehicle miles traveled, or monitoring those miles. The proposal seeks to preemptively eliminate possible replacements to the gas tax that currently pays for road construction and maintenance, but which is underfunded both because the tax has not increased in decades and the proliferation of electric vehicles and fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles. 

Background: The gas tax pays for most road construction and maintenance, but its revenue is shrinking as vehicles get more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles become more common. The state's gas tax is 18 cents per gallon and hasn't been raised in decades. A mileage-based fee is one option some states, such as Oregon, have used to replace that revenue. Prop 141 would take it off the table in Arizona. Because it's a constitutional amendment, changing it later would require another vote. It is the second attempt at this amendment.

CEBV comment…Prop 141 is a ludicrous, conspiracy-fueled waste of our time — but it would have real-world consequences. Based on an absurd myth from fringe extremists, this legislative referral would prevent Arizona's ever-increasing number of electric vehicle owners from paying their fair share of the actual costs of road construction and repair. 

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Prop 142 - A Constitutional Amendment

It is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment (HCR 2044), sponsored by Rep. Steve Montenegro. It would expand Article II, Section 36 of the Arizona Constitution, which already bars the state from granting preferential treatment or discriminating based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public employment, education and contracting to add prohibitions targeting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts What it would add: The ban would apply to the state and to cities, towns, counties, public universities, community colleges, school districts and other subdivisions, even where a federal program is involved. It would also prohibit public entities from:

• Requiring applicants, employees, students or contractors to endorse or support preferential treatment as a condition of admission, graduation, hiring, promotion or contracting.

• Requiring or soliciting statements supporting certain race-based diversity, equity and inclusion concepts, or requiring people to confess race-based privilege.

• Spending public money on an office or position at a public educational institution that is responsible for promoting preferential treatment or discrimination based on race or ethnicity.

 The measure includes some exceptions, such as certain federal requirements and court orders.

CEBV comment…Mean spirited and misguided, attacks truth and fairness

What It Would Do: 

• Amend Arizona’s existing constitutional ban on preferential treatment and discrimination to add sweeping new restrictions on how public institutions may address race and ethnicity in education, employment, contracting, discipline, and other programs. 

• Restrict what public schools, agencies, and employers may ask students, employees, applicants, and contractors to say or discuss about race, ethnicity, and their experiences with other people. 

 The Republican-run legislature referred Prop 142 to the ballot because it couldn’t pass muster as a bill. It would amend the Arizona Constitution, which means its wording should be careful and precise — it definitely is not. Embedding racism in our state’s foundational document will have serious, wide-ranging consequences, causing grave injustices that would be difficult to reverse.

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Proposition 144 - A Constitutional Amendment

Proposition 144, the "Fast Accurate Secure Transparent Election Results Act" (the "Fast Election Results Act," HCR 2001), is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. It would apply to elections on or after Jan. 1, 2028.

What it would do:

• Reaffirm that only U.S. citizens may register and vote, and that elections are decided solely by eligible citizen voters.

• Require every voter to show valid government-issued ID before casting a ballot, whether in person or by another method, as prescribed by law.

• Require that voters be offered the option to have their ballot tabulated at their voting location on Election Day.

• Prohibit foreign nationals from contributing money or anything of value to influence an Arizona election.

• Allow the people and the Legislature to enact early and mail voting laws, as long as they are rationally connected to a legitimate state interest such as timely results, security or public confidence.

• Require the Legislature to fund implementation.

 Background: It passed along party lines in June, and a judge kept it on the ballot after a challenge. Arizona already requires ID to register and to vote in person. Mail ballots are currently verified by signature, and it's unclear how the ID requirement would work for mail voters. The details would be left to later legislation.

CEBV comment…What It Would Do: 

• Requires voters to put a copy of their driver’s license or a select few other ID options inside their early ballot envelope every election or have their ballot be tossed out.

• Eliminates the current options Arizona law gives voters to use a utility bill, bank statement, or insurance card with their name and correct address on it as voter ID.

• Gives the state legislature the power to create any other voting restrictions they want.

 It is poorly worded and gives the lege far too much power over elections usurping local control.

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Prop 316 - A Statutory Measure

Amends state law to cap municipal sales taxes on food for home consumption at 2% and requires voter approval for new or increased taxes; cities and towns already above 2% are frozen at their current rate rather than rolled back. 

   Bisbee relies on a food tax to provide money for city services, as do 69 other mostly smaller cities. If passed, it would take away revenue, estimated to be $700,000. 

Proposition 316 would change how Arizona cities and towns can tax food.

• It caps municipal sales taxes on food at 2% and requires voter approval for any increases.

• It also bars cities and towns from imposing or increasing food taxes without voter approval.

• A yes vote would put those limits into law. A no vote would leave current law in place, so local governments could keep setting their food tax rates under existing rules.

 CEBV comment…Disguised as tax relief, Prop 316 was designed by the legislature to handcuff cities and towns by restricting the revenue they need to function. And while Republicans say doing so will help ease the financial burden on everyday Arizonans, some city officials warn that it will make it harder to provide public services. 

Bisbee Mayor Ken Budge criticized the ballot measure for enshrining governmental overreach into state law.  “Why should the state be able to tell local governments and their residents how much and how they are willing to be taxed to support their town?” “Let these decisions be made by the people that are affected, not by state representatives trying to make one size fit all municipalities.” 

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Proposition 317 - A Statutory Measure

317 is a legislatively referred measure (HCR 2055) on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. If voters approve it, it declares drug cartels to be terrorist organizations and requires the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to do everything within its authority to address the threat they pose. The measure also defines "drug cartel" and "threat." A cartel is defined as an ongoing formal or informal association of people whose members take part in human smuggling, for-profit drug trafficking or terrorism.

Background: The Legislature passed it on party-line-style votes (32-27 in the House, 16-13 in the Senate). Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a similar bill in 2023, saying that designating foreign terrorist organizations is up to federal authorities. If it passes, Arizona would be the first state to make this designation through a ballot measure. After 2023 veto, Arizona Legislat

CEBV comments…The broad, sloppy sweep of Prop 317 could carry unintended consequences for victims of human trafficking. The Brennan Center for Justice warns of the danger to large numbers of people with no connection to drug trafficking or terrorism, such as churches, synagogues, food banks and health clinics. Any organization that aids a migrant who was smuggled across the border could be vulnerable to prosecution or freezing of assets. Gang intervention groups that work to rehabilitate gang-involved individuals by providing employment, financial education, counseling, recreation and other support services may be targeted too.

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Proposition 318 - A Statutory MeasureThe "Protect Girls' Sports in Arizona Act" (HCR 2003), is a legislatively referred state statute on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. It would take effect Jan. 1, 2027 if approved. expand the existing statute banning transgender students from playing on the gender-appropriate K-12 or college sports team to require that teams be designated by biological sex (per original birth certificate) beginning in 2027.

 What it would do:

• Require public and private schools, colleges and athletic associations that sponsor interscholastic or intramural teams to designate each team as male, female, or coed/mixed.

• Bar male students from teams designated for girls or women. Sex is based on the original birth certificate. Anyone could still play on male or coed teams.

• Bar schools and athletic associations from letting anyone use restrooms, locker rooms or showers designated for a different sex. This applies to private spaces that are integral to athletics.

• Prohibit government bodies, accrediting groups and athletic associations from penalizing a school for keeping separate girls' teams.

• Expand who can sue and be sued over violations, including students who lose an athletic opportunity or face retaliation for reporting a violation.

• The provisions would now also apply to private “athletic associations,” like Little League, not just Arizona schools

 Background: It builds on the 2022 Save Women's Sports Act, which has faced legal challenges. The Legislature passed it 32-25 in the House and 16-12 in the Senate. It is one of those encroachment policies that would result in policing bathroom . 

CEBV comments…Excludes transgender students from sports teams and facilities in schools and private recreational sports leagues, invading student privacy and turning educators and sports coaches into the gender police. It would give individuals the right to sue schools and recreational sports leagues if they believe a child has been allowed to participate on the wrong team – setting up an endless string of lawsuits criticizing girls for being too masculine, etc. 

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Prop 319 - A Statutory Measure

Proposition 319 is a legislatively referred state statute (SCR 1004, sponsored by Sen. Wendy Rogers) on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. It deals with photo enforcement, meaning speed and red-light cameras.

What it would do:

• Prohibit state agencies and local governments from using photo enforcement systems to identify people who speed or fail to obey traffic signals and signs.

• Exempt those with a signed contract to operate a system by Dec. 31, 2026. Those jurisdictions could keep their cameras only if local voters approve them, and they must shut them down within 90 days if voters say no.

• Allow approved systems to run for 10 years. After that, voters would have to reapprove them every decade.

• Redefine "photo enforcement system."

 Background: Gov. Katie Hobbs previously vetoed legislative efforts to ban photo radar, but referrals to the ballot bypass the governor. Cities such as Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa and Scottsdale use cameras. Phoenix has taken a neutral position on the measure.

CEBV comments…The intent of traffic cameras is to prevent serious accidents, not to generate expensive tickets. When we see an upcoming camera on the roadway, we slow down. When we know a red light camera is ahead, we actually stop instead of trying to beat it.

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Prop 320 - A Statutory Measure Proposition 320, the "Classroom Spending Accountability Act" or "Prioritize Teacher Pay Act" (SCR 1032, sponsored by Sen. Jake Hoffman), is a legislatively referred state statute on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.

 What it would do:

• Require larger school districts to spend at least 60% of their operational spending on "direct instructional expenses." It covers districts with at least 7,500 students, plus districts that operate a school in a county of 500,000 or more people. Coverage reports say that includes all districts in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties. Small rural districts are exempt.

• Have the state Auditor General define "direct instructional expenses" and "operational spending."

• Require districts below 60% to raise their instructional share by at least half a percentage point each year, starting in fiscal year 2027-28, until they comply.

• Penalize noncompliance by cutting a district's Classroom Site Fund allocation, rising to 100% after four or more years, unless a waiver is granted.

 Background: Supporters say districts now spend about 52% of their budgets on instruction, down from about 59% in 2004. The measure provides no new state money, so districts would have to shift existing funds.

CEBV comments…A punitive misguided measure

What It Would Do: 

• Imposes an impossible standard for school districts to spend at least 60% of operational spending on “direct instructional expenses,” without even defining that term.

• Districts that miss the target face massive penalties in the form of reductions in Classroom Site Fund money, beginning at 25% and increasing each year they remain out of compliance (as in, 25% after 1 year of non-compliance; 50% after 2 years; 75% after 3 years; and 100% after 4+ years)

• This would force districts to cut vital resources for students and teachers.

 Intentionally deceptive….Doesn’t provide schools a single additional dollar or guarantee teachers a raise…..Forces districts to cut necessities to satisfy an arbitrary accounting formula….Unfair double standard…Punishment is one-size-fits-all:

CITY OF BISBEE

Bisbee Proposition 400   Alternative Expenditure Limitation …home rule option

Short history

• Arizona's constitution (Article IX, Section 20) caps how much cities can spend each year. The cap is set by the state Economic Estimates Commission and is tied to old 1978 spending levels. Voters can replace it with a locally set limit through the Home Rule Option, also called the Alternative Expenditure Limitation.

• A city council must first propose it, and once approved, it lasts four years. If voters reject it, the city reverts to the state-imposed limit. Voters in 40 of Arizona's 93 cities and towns have approved it.

• Bisbee has used it for years. Bisbee voters approval on August 28, 2018. But also every four years going back to 1990’s

 Amy Burkert mayor-elect released a vid with the reason that this is so important for Bisbee residents. The edited text from her video…

"As we prepare for the upcoming November election, you’re going to see an important local measure on your ballot called Home Rule—officially known as the Alternative Expenditure Limitation. Terms like 'expenditure limitation' sound like accounting jargon. But behind the technical name is a very simple, crucial question: Who should decide how Bisbee spends its local tax dollars—the state government, or the people who actually live here in Bisbee?

Let’s break down what Home Rule is, why it matters, and why a YES vote is so vital for our community’s future.

Background...In1980, the state of Arizona created a law that limits how much money cities and towns can spend each year. The state calculates this spending cap using a formula based on what our city spent in 1979, (46 years ago!) adjusted only for inflation and population changes.

Here’s why that formula doesn't work for Bisbee today: Because our population is smaller now than it was in 1980, the state's formula reduces our allowable spending limit. It completely ignores that the cost of running a town—fixing aging pipes, paving roads, or providing emergency services—doesn’t decrease because fewer people live here.

It also ignores the revenue we generate today through tourism and local sales tax. Under the state cap, even though Bisbee has that money in the bank, the city is legally forbidden from spending it.

And that’s where Home Rule comes in.

Arizona's constitution lets local voters opt out of the state cap and give the Mayor and City Council the authority to set our own annual budget limit based on our actual revenues and community needs.

Here are a few more things you should know about Home Rule:

First, Home Rule DOES NOT raise your taxes. Voting 'YES' does not give the city authority to increase sales or property tax rates. It simply lets the City use the money it’s already collecting to fund the approved budget.

Second, this is standard practice for Bisbee. Our voters have approved Home Rule every four years since 1990, alongside dozens of other towns across Arizona.

If Home Rule passes, our local government can continue operating normally—funding public safety, maintaining the library and parks, and repairing our infrastructure.

And what happens if Home Rule is voted down?

If Home Rule fails, Bisbee falls back under the strict state limit. That would force our city to cut its operational budget by about two-thirds—dropping our spending capacity from roughly $21 million to around $7 million.

Because mandatory items like debt payments can't be cut, that massive reduction would fall on day-to-day community operations. It would mean drastic cuts—or complete elimination—of vital city services, road repairs, staff, and public facilities.

A YES vote on Home Rule isn't a vote for new taxes or bigger government. It’s a vote for local control, financial common sense, and keeping our municipal services running smoothly.

It ensures that decisions about Bisbee’s budget are made right here at home by the people you elect—not dictated by a formula set by the state in 1980.

vote YES on the Home Rule Option."

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PROPOSED CITY CHARTER CHANGES

PROPOSITION NO. 401

A proposed amendment to the charter of the City of Bisbee, removing the preamble and anywhere in the document the language refers to he shall be changed to “he/she” or “his/hers

PROPOSITION NO. 402

A proposed amendment to the charter of the City of Bisbee amending section 2.10 to establish a compensation board to review mayor and council salaries at least every five years and make recommendations subject to ratification by the electorate.

PROPOSITION NO. 403

A proposed amendment to the charter of the City of Bisbee amending section 7.10 to authorize publication of ordinances and resolutions in any printed or electronic medium permitted by state law, in addition to the city’s official website.

PROPOSITION NO. 404

A proposed amendment to the charter of the City of Bisbee amending section 8.02 to increase from five thousand dollars ($5,000) to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) the threshold for certain city contracts and purchases requiring contract execution and prior council approval

PROPOSITION NO. 405

A proposed amendment to the charter of the City of Bisbee amending section 8.03 to authorize bid notices to be published in any printed or electronic medium permitted by state law and on the city’s official website.

PROPOSITION NO. 406

A proposed amendment to the charter of the City of Bisbee amending section 9.15 to replace the reference to the 1980 census official count with the most recent official census count.

PROPOSITION NO. 407

A proposed amendment to the charter of the City of Bisbee amending section 14.08 to require city council meetings to be recorded and uploaded to the city’s media platform

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BISBEE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Budget Override Continuation

The Governing Board is asking the voters to renew the District's current budget override with an amount not to exceed 10% of the District's Revenue Control Limit.

he current override begun in 2022 was for 7 years ending in 2031. It calls for 5 years at 10% and then a reduction in the next  fiscal years 27/28 & 28/29 the 10% would be reduced to 6.6%, a one third decrease. Rather than let that decrease happen the district is asking voters to approve a 10% override-that has helped them with escalating costs the past 5 years-so they can continue to provide educational services and support at the current levels for the next 5 years. If the ballot measure is defeated the current (2022) override continues with a 1/3rd/2/3 decline the next two years. Property taxes will be raised to make up the budgetary decline. Passing the ballot proposition override, property taxes will not be increased according to the district. Summary...less money for budgets in the next two years results in a tax increase. Passing the ballot measure does not result in a tax increase.

School Board Candidates

There will be no school board candidates on the ballot. Three seats were up for election, but only two candidates  submitted petitions to run -- Bill Taylor and Sarah Earnest.  Taylor currently serves on the Board.  Since there are fewer candidates than positions, they will not appear on the ballot.  The remaining open seat will be appointed by our Cochise County School Superintendent.