ACLU Of Arizona Raises Concerns After Election

PHOENIX — Arizona voters decided ballot measures and key races affecting civil rights and liberties in last week’s election.

Unofficial results from Arizona’s 15 counties showed voters largely rejected measures and candidates the ACLU of Arizona opposed, the organization said.

Voters rejected measures affecting early voting, inclusion efforts and public-school funding, according to the ACLU of Arizona.

However, the organization said other approved measures threaten transgender Arizonans and border communities.

“Lawmakers showed they would rather villainize vulnerable groups than defend our rights when they sent bad policies to the ballot, and unfortunately, some of those measures passed,” said Victoria López, the organization’s executive director, in a Nov. 10 statement.

López said Proposition 317 would not improve border safety and could risk labeling U.S. citizens and asylum seekers as terrorist organizations.

She said Proposition 318 expands an existing ban targeting transgender student athletes, further isolating children seeking to participate alongside their peers.

Voters also changed the makeup of the Arizona Legislature, the organization said.

The ACLU of Arizona said it would intensify efforts to protect civil rights and liberties under the incoming Legislature.

“We have an important opportunity to make our communities stronger and ensure Arizona is a state where all people can prosper, thrive, and live in liberation with dignity and freedom,” López said.

“The ACLU of Arizona is preparing to build on the momentum of last week’s election to defend and advance civil rights and liberties for all.”

County boards of supervisors have until Nov. 19 to canvass election returns, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.

The statewide canvass is scheduled for Nov. 23. Arizona’s next legislative session begins Monday, Jan. 11, 2027.