Ballot Propositions
Prepared by Center for Arizona Policy (CAP) to assist voters, this nonpartisan guide summarizes each ballot proposition. The full text of the propositions and arguments may be found at www.azsos.gov.
Click here to download a pdf of this guide.
Proposition 114
Amends the Arizona Constitution to ensure that if someone commits a felony and is then injured, the criminal cannot sue the victim of the felony.
Arguments For (no known website)
- It is unthinkable to allow a criminal to be able to sue his/her victim.
- We should not reward criminals for their illegal behavior.
Arguments Against (no known website)
- Prop 114 limits the rights of individuals to be compensated after being injured.
- If a person is injured, whether or not he/she can seek damages for the injury should not depend on what the person was doing when the injury occurred.
- Because there is no definition of “victim,” this constitutional amendment could be interpreted broadly and have unintended consequences.
Proposition 115
Amends the Arizona Constitution regarding how judges are selected and retained. Among other provisions, the proposition increases the minimum number of individuals that are nominated for judicial openings and requires that more information is available to the public regarding judges up for retention.
Center for Arizona Policy encourages a YES vote on Prop 115.
- Prop 115 increases transparency over the process of how judges are selected.
- Prop 115 is a consensus measure supported by the State Bar of Arizona, Arizona Judicial Council, and Arizona Judges Association.
- This measure takes away power from unelected officials and places it with elected officials that are accountable to the people of Arizona.
- Prop 115 increases the number of names that must be sent to the Governor for a judicial vacancy, thereby ensuring more qualified individuals are considered.
Proposition 116
Amends the Arizona Constitution to set the amount exempt from annual taxes on business equipment and machinery purchased after 2012 to an amount equal to the combined earnings of 50 Arizona workers.
Arguments For www.voteyeson116.com
- Because Prop 116 increases the amount of certain personal property that is exempt from property taxes, this measure will create jobs for Arizona’s small businesses.
- Prop 116 provides an incentive for out-of-state companies to move to Arizona.
Arguments Against (no known website)
- Prop 116 will create a burden on the State of Arizona to monitor and track any new business equipment and machinery that is purchased after 2012.
- Big businesses could benefit the most from Prop 116, and the measure could have little effect on the small businesses it is geared toward.
Proposition 117
Amends the Arizona Constitution to set a limit on the annual percentage increase in property values used to determine property taxes to no more than 5%, and establishes a single property value as the basis for determining all real property taxes beginning in 2014.
Arguments For www.yeson117.com
- Prop 117 simplifies the way property tax is valued and assessed.
- Prop 117 limits the amount of growth in locally assessed property, which is more predictable for taxpayers and for the government.
- Prop 117 protects property owners from the property tax implications that result from a real estate bubble.
Arguments Against (no known website)
- If property values were to increase at an annual rate of more than 5%, Prop 117 creates a subsidy for the owners of such property over time.
- Prop 117 could limit the ability for cities and towns to use bond programs.
- The benefits of Prop 117 will only be seen by large landowners and commercial ventures.
Proposition 118
Amends the Arizona Constitution to change the distribution formula for the state land trust permanent endowment fund, which funds various public institutions, including schools, to be 2.5% of the average monthly market values of the fund for the immediately preceding five calendar years.
Arguments For (no known website)
- Prop 118 simplifies how revenue is paid out of the permanent land endowment fund and eliminates the current complex scheme.
- Prop 118 distributes revenue from the fund in a more responsible manner and creates more consistent and predictable funding to K-12 education.
Arguments Against (no known website)
- By limiting the percentage of revenue paid out of the fund, there will be years where the revenue paid out to K-12 education would be greater under the current formula.
Proposition 119
Amends the Arizona Constitution to authorize exchanges of state trust land for military installation preservation purposes or for trust land management purposes.
Arguments For www.yesonprop119.com
- Prop 119 preserves Arizona’s military facilities by preventing encroachment on bases.
- Prop 119 prevents the potential loss of jobs and revenue that could result from the loss of a military facility in Arizona.
- Prop 119 creates transparency and accountability in the exchange of government land and helps to preserve areas known for their natural beauty.
Arguments Against (no known website)
- Prop 119 could negatively impact development in rural areas by allowing larger, more-populated counties to exchange lands in the larger counties for lands in smaller, less-populated counties.
- Prop 119 curtails growth and development in areas that happen to be near military facilities.
Proposition 120
Amends the Arizona Constitution to declare Arizona’s sovereignty over the public lands and all natural resources within the state of Arizona.
Arguments For (no known website)
- By allowing Arizona to have control over the lands inside the state boundaries, Arizona can put public lands to more productive and profitable uses than the federal government.
Arguments Against www.noonprop120.com
- Prop 120 represents a land grab by Arizona.
- If passed, Prop 120 could lead to less conservation of forests and natural resources.
- Prop 120 could be unconstitutional under the Supremacy Clause and could lead to taxpayer funds being used to defend the measure in court.
Proposition 121
Amends the Arizona Constitution to replace the current party primary election with a “top two” primary election in which all voters, regardless of party affiliation, vote in a single, combined primary and the top two vote-getters for each seat advance to the General Election ballot.
Center for Arizona Policy encourages a NO vote on Prop 121. www.noprop121.com
- Prop 121 could double money in politics. After California moved to Top Two, political spending went from $23 million per year to $43 million per year on state legislative races.
- Prop 121 limits voter choice by restricting access to the General Election ballot. It also creates the possibility for voters to have to choose from candidates of the same party in the General Election.
- Prop 121 disproportionately impacts majority-minority districts.
Proposition 204
Creates a new, permanent 1% sales tax effective June 1, 2013 for the purpose of funding educational programs, public transportation infrastructure projects, and human services; forbids reductions to current K-12 and university funding levels; and forbids reductions to the current sales tax base.
Center for Arizona Policy encourages a NO vote on Prop 204. www.votenoon204.com
- Prop 204 takes the job of legislating and appropriating away from the duly-elected legislature.
- Prop 204 creates a “Family Stability and Self-sufficiency Fund,” which could be used by a future governor to fund abortion providers with $100 million annually under the guise of funding “basic needs” with no oversight by the legislature.
- Prop 204 was written by special interest groups to specifically benefit special interest groups.