Local ballot measures, Arizona

Today's elections feature 83 measures across four states, Phoenix voters to decide on pension reform that could save the city nearly $600 million Mar 11, 2013 a Arizona a California a Florida a Oregon By Josh Altic Local ballot measures are being decided in four states today. Measures on the ballot include two pension reform measures in Phoenix that could save tax payers almost $600 million by 2037. In Arizona, Florida, California and Oregon, voters will directly decide 83 different measures, including key issues such as pension reform, taxes and salaries of local officials. To read more about these ballot measures and to see the outcome of each race follow Ballotpedia's coverage of the elections in Arizona, California, Florida and Oregon. Election results for the Phoenix Pension reform measures will be reported here as soon as they become available when polls close tonight. Below is a break down of the election in each state. ...more local news School bond and tax votes See also: School bond and tax elections in Arizona Arizona requires school districts to hold elections for issuing new bonds or to override a school district budget. School districts are given up to five percent to override on a school district budget. Any override over five percent needs voter approval. Override is similar to exceeding a levy limit which is commonly called in other states. Arizona laws require school districts to have a substitute budget on hand in the event a budget override measure gets defeated. Arizona also has a debt limit protected by the Arizona Constitution with regular school districts having a six percent debt limit while unified school districts have a thirty percent limit based on the district's total value of taxable property. Prescott Controversy A controversy arose in the city of Prescott in late 2009 when residents tried to have an initiative placed on the November 3, 2009 ballot. The issue stemmed from the necessary signatures needed to put the initiative up for a public vote. City Clerk Elizabeth Burke told petition gatherers that they needed to get 2,058 signatures. This number represented 15 percent of the voters in the previous election. However, Gary Kidd, the City Attorney, disputed that the effort required at least 25 percent of voters' signatures. The dispute began when officials pointed out that there was conflicting initiative procedures between the Arizona Constitution and the state statute. The initiative could appear on the November ballot, but legal action could be taken afterwards. A letter from Councilwoman Lora Lopas can be read here, along with other case-related document. In her letter, Lopas described her discontent with the way the situation on this issue was handled. Laws governing Filing of Petition and Election Initiative and Referendum in Cities, Towns and Counties

Local elections 2013 March 12 • May 21 2012 March 13 • November 6 2011 March 8 • May 17 • August 30 • November 8 2010 March 9 • May 18 • November 2 2009 December 15 • November 3 • September 1 • May 19 • March 10 Arizona counties Apache • Cochise • Coconino • Gila • Graham • Greenlee • La Paz • Maricopa • Mohave • Navajo • Pima • Pinal • Santa Cruz • Yavapai • Yuma

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