My wife and I spent the last few days traveling across Arizona to help my daughter move into college. The state's beauty is extraordinary. I drove through communities I have seen many times, from Dewey, Flagstaff, Holbrook, and Winslow; it reminded me of the importance of the work of the Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA).
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In a world that often has too much information and too little knowledge, I am a big fan of content sources that provide more signal than noise. That is difficult in a climate where promoting noise is a social media business model, but CFA's work offers a model for producing common knowledge that benefits all of Arizona.
The 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda offers a useful corrective: a clear view of what Arizonans want from our government and, as a result, what our elected officials are prudent to listen to.
The Arizona Voters’ Agenda aims to be a trusted, nonpartisan source of statewide research identifying the priorities Arizona voters share across political affiliations and generations. The surveys ask about a wide array of issues and topics, and some items do not reach the level of agreement among likely voters required for inclusion. The resulting Arizona Voters’ Agenda is built on where there is broad consensus, focusing on issues agreed upon by the electorate.
By setting a high bar for inclusion—demanding over 50% strong agreement among all voters and agreement across every political affiliation and age group—it ensures the agenda reflects widely supported policies.
This method filters out partisan issues, highlighting priorities with real potential for progress and representing concerns crucial to the vast majority of Arizona’s likely voters. This process not only fosters a nonpartisan approach but also aims to provide practical and actionable policy insights for the state.
In midlife, it is easy to see that election years follow a familiar script. Candidates tell us what is at stake. Parties tell us what to fear. Ads and social media turn complicated challenges into slogans, outrage, and team sports. The result is plenty of noise and not much signal.
A better place to start is with the citizens. The Center for the Future of Arizona’s 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda asks a more practical question than who is ahead. It asks what Arizona voters want government to accomplish. Its research identifies priorities that draw majority support from Republicans, Democrats, independents, and voters of every age group.
That matters. The agenda does not suggest that Arizonans agree on every policy detail. They do not. But it does show a broad, workable consensus on the problems that deserve sustained attention—and on the kind of results voters expect from their leaders.
Affordability and housing, water security, immigration, education, and economic opportunity rise to the top.
These are not abstractions. They shape whether families can put down roots, whether employers can grow, and whether young people see a future for themselves here in Arizona.
Water may be the clearest example. Voters are concerned about Arizona’s long-term water supply, and they support policies that protect groundwater and make future development sustainable. That is not a rejection of growth. It demands that growth be managed responsibly.
Education reveals much the same instinct. Arizonans understand that the state’s future depends on preparing students for work, life, and citizenship. The question is no longer whether education matters. The question is whether we are producing measurable results, holding ourselves accountable, and improving student outcomes.
Even on immigration, voters often hold priorities that our politics treats as incompatible: secure borders, an orderly legal immigration system, humane treatment of people, and an economy with the workers it needs. The public is asking for solutions that are both serious and workable.
In my opinion, in a time where common knowledge about our society is often missing, the Arizona Voters’ Agenda is more than another poll. It is a useful public standard.
Candidates asking for our votes should be able to speak plainly about how they intend to address the priorities Arizonans have already identified.
At a minimum, every candidate should be prepared to answer five questions:
· What policies will you support to make Arizona more affordable?
· What policies will you support to protect Arizona’s water future?
· What policies will you support to improve education and workforce readiness?
· What policies will you support to strengthen border security while supporting legal immigration?
· In two years, what evidence will show that your policies are working?
Those are not partisan questions. They are questions of competence, priorities, and follow-through. They shift the focus from campaign rhetoric to the work of governing.
An election is not simply about deciding which political team wins. It is to choose leaders who can exercise sound judgment for Arizona’s future.
Arizonans have made their priorities clear. The question for candidates is who is listening? Importantly, who also possesses the courage, character, and leadership qualities to deliver?
I encourage everyone to take a drive to somewhere new in Arizona. Enjoy the journey, the beauty and wonder. It reminds you of our humanity - no matter what our zip code. In addition, I encourage you to sign up to receive the statewide findings, issue-specific highlights, questions for candidates, and updates here.
Source
Center for the Future of Arizona, 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda and related statewide voter surveys.
Disclosure
The 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda initiative is supported in part by Arizona State University, Helios Education Foundation, Pivotal Foundation, and the Thomas R. Brown Family Private Foundation. The Center for the Future of Arizona acknowledges their support for nonpartisan research and public dialogue about Arizona’s future.
Thanks for reading. Here, I share my observations on life, civics, and society.