Politics plays role in where bonds, overrides passed around the Valley

Maricopa County saw 11 of 18 school district bonds pass, a 61% success rate for the county, with only one of five municipal bonds failing for the 2023 election cycle.

The results fell along somewhat political lines: While bonds and overrides passed in traditionally Democratic areas,  while many of the failed votes were linked to more traditionally Republican areas.

Deer Valley, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Liberty school districts all suffered decisive defeats. Litchfield and Mesa school districts also suffered losses, but only marginally.

Those districts are all on the outer areas of the Valley and voters in those areas trend Repbulican. Registered Republicans outnumbered Democrats two to one in Deer Valley, Fountain Hills and Queen Creek school districts. All districts that failed to pass a bond or override had Republican majorities for registered voters.

The vote may be a trend, as national politics invades electoral races on a much more local level. On Nov. 7, the Arizona GOP called upon voters to vote no to school bond and overrides on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

“Today's vote is crucial. School bonds & overrides equal more tax burdens for us all. It's time for responsible spending, not reckless taxing,” it wrote. “Stand with us for accountable, efficient government. Vote NO on tax increases.“

Of the 11 school districts that passed bond measures, only one district had a registered Republican majority, the Paradise Valley school district.

According to Uplift Data, the district has 38,135 registered Republicans and 29,220 Democrats, with 36,908 independents. Democrats, however, outpaced Republican voters with a 28% turnout versus a 24% turnout.

The bond victory was tempered by allegations by right-wing pundits and elected state officials who cried foul when misinformation spread about polls closing early at one polling place in the district.

Goodyear and Litchfield Park GOP state Rep. Austin Smith asked county officials directly on social media about the situation outside of his legislative district.

“Why is Maricopa County shutting down voting locations before the deadline to vote at Paradise Valley School District with a question on the ballot?” he asked. “Bill Gates what's the reason? Stephen Richter any idea?”

According to polling documents from Maricopa County, the polling location in question closed at 4:30 p.m. a week leading up to election day. The hours were posted on the Maricopa County website Oct. 17, with 23 other drop-box locations sharing similar closing times.

Deputy Elections Director of Communications for Maricopa County Jennifer Liewer said the district opted for that situation, but had a replacement site near the district office site, per statute. 

“Paradise Valley Unified School District had one ballot replacement site at Sunset Canyon Elementary open since Oct. 30 and it was open until 7 p.m. on election day,” she said. “PVUSD also opted to have a secure ballot drop box at their district office, but they only made it available during their normal hours of operation.”

According to Lindsay Schubiner, Director of Programs at Western States Center, a non-partisan nonprofit dedicated to protecting inclusive democracy, anti-democratic officials have started spreading misinformation at the local election level.

"Anti-democracy actors peddle disinformation because sowing confusion and chaos is one of their goals. Across the country, we’ve seen election misinformation and disinformation take center stage," she said. "This trend of misinformation around elections made headlines at the national level in 2020, and it hasn’t gone away. It’s a deep concern during local elections, especially when anti-democracy actors refuse to accept democratic processes. Truth and access to information is an essential part of our democracy, and spreading disinformation, especially around elections, is a direct attack on it. “

According to Google, the replacement site is 3.4 miles from the district site.

Both Queen Creek and Gilbert school district superintendents conceeded their losses Wednesday.

“As you may have heard, it appears that  funding for QCUSD through the bond and override were not approved,” stated QCUSD Superintendent Perry Berry. "I am honored to serve as your superintendent and I look forward to continuing the great work that we do together in empowering every student to engage, excel, and lead with integrity.”

Gilbert Public Schools Superintendent Shane McCord echoed a similar message.

“We are thankful for everyone who voted and of course disappointed with the results,” he said. “However, our focus will remain on continuing to provide academic excellence for our students in safe and supportive learning environments where they thrive.   

City bonds pass

Most city bonds passed during the 2023 election, with only El Mirage facing a resounding defeat with 79% voting no on its bond measure. The $41.5 million bond would have earmarked money for a second fire station, a police station expansion and a new city court facility.

The city touts a high number of registered Democrats, but a majority of voters simply decided they could not afford to pass the bond measure. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, El Mirage has the lowest per capita income of the five cities with bond measures on the ballot at $23,789.

The highest of per-capita income cities, Goodyear ($37,420) saw all three of its bond measures pass.

Goodyear’s first measure, for $135 million in street and transportation, saw 65% voting yes. According to the city, the funds will address city streets, transportation, traffic flow and street widening. Funds will also be earmarked for traffic control systems and underground utilities, installing new street lights and bicycle paths.

Bond measures two and three earmarks $80 million for public safety projects and $17 million for parks and recreation, respectively.

The city has long seen traffic congestion from its metoric growth. According to the city, it was the ninth fastest growing city in the nation.

Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo acknowledged the decisive bond victory Wednesday in a statement to the Daily Independent.

“I am deeply grateful to our amazing community for the exceptional voter turnout and the support in approving the bonds,” he said. “The community’s active engagement and trust in this endeavor are truly appreciated, and together we are investing in the city’s future. The ultimate goal is to create a quality city in which people can live, work, and play.”

The city of Phoenix also saw a resounding victory in four bond measures aimed at $500 million worth of investments toward new infrastructure.

The first bond measure passed with a 70% yes on approval of the bond. The first and biggest measure slates $214 million for police, fire, roadway and pedestrian infrastructure. The three remaining bond measure passed in similar fashion, with $108 million, $114 million and $63 million going to parks, econonomic development, and affordable housing respectively.

According to Uplift Data, registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 281,405 to 203,706. Despite high levels of poverty in the city, Phoenix has an average per capita income of $33,718, almost $10,000 more than El Mirage.

Michael McDaniel can be reached at mmcdaniel@iniusa.org. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.

Update: A previous version of the story incorrectly claimed Paradise Valley’s legislative district, LD4, houses three Democrats and no Republicans in the state legislature. The district has two Democrats in the legislature, and one Republican, state Rep. Matt Gress.