LobbyComply Blog

The city of Tempe, Arizona increased campaign contribution limits for the 2028 election cycle from individuals to candidates for mayor and City Council from $650 to $690 per contributor. From PACs, the limit increased from $1,300 to $1,370, and from mega PACs, the limit increased from $6,480 to $6,840. The limit on aggregate PAC and mega PAC contributions to a candidate increased from $12,970 to $13,700.

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The 57th Arizona Legislature adjourned its second regular session sine die on June 13 after passing campaign finance and procurement bills. House Bill 2874 updates termination statement requirements; caps the daily accruing penalty for late committee reports at $5,000; and introduces retroactive leniency with respect to certain late committee report penalties. If approved by Gov. Katie Hobbs, the bill will take effect immediately. Senate Bill 1259 allows committee statements of organization to list alternate mailing addresses for persons whose residential address is required to be listed on the statement but is court-ordered protected voter registration information. If approved by Hobbs, the bill will take effect September 12. Senate Bill 1186 requires companies responding to a request for proposal, applying for a grant, or under contract with a state agency to disclose having provided anything of value to the governor and any entity that advocates for the election of the governor or defeat of an electoral opponent within the prior five years. Hobbs vetoed a similar bill in 2025. House Concurrent Resolution 2001, proposing, among other things, to amend the state constitution to prohibit political contributions from foreign nationals, will be on the ballot for voter consideration on November 3.

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The Senate passed a bill related to pay-to-play disclosure. Senate Bill 1186 requires companies responding to a request for proposal, applying for a grant, or under contract with a state agency to disclose having provided anything of value to the governor and any entity that advocates for the election of the governor or defeat of an electoral opponent of the governor within the prior five years. Last year, Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill containing similar language, calling it a political stunt. This February, Hobbs unveiled a forward-looking ethics reform proposal focused on a state contractor database, a contribution cap during bid consideration, and a lobbyist gift ban. The competing visions on ethics reform come against the backdrop of lawmakers and the governor’s office trading scrutiny over past transparency.

Make sure you understand pay-to-play regulations in your state. See all 50 states and nearly 300 jurisdictions in our online guidebooks. Check them out here.

The Arizona Legislature passed a bill adjusting the primary election date and making other election law changes. House Bill 2022 (Senate Bill 1425), permanently changes the primary election date from the first Tuesday in August to the second-to-last Tuesday in July during even numbered years; makes technical changes for the July 21, 2026 primary election; adjusts ballot signature curing deadlines for federal elections; and expands the locations where authorized party representatives may observe and challenge voting activity. The measure was passed as an emergency and will take effect immediately, if signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs.

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The 57th Arizona Legislature adjourned its first regular session sine die on May 1. During the session, the legislature amended the law to require a filing officer not accept a complaint from a third party unless the complaint is filed by an individual who submits evidence that the individual is an identifiable human being. It also passed a law mandating homeowners’ associations not prohibit the display of specific flags or political signs that attempt to influence the outcome of an election, which the governor signed into law on May 2.

Arizona’s 7th Congressional District Rep. Raúl Grijalva passed away on March 13 after complications from lung cancer, ending his decades-long career in public service. One of Arizona’s longest-serving congressmen, Mr. Grijalva championed immigrants’ rights and climate change policies. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs will call for a special election in accordance with state law within 72 hours after the office is officially declared vacant. A special general election must follow between 70 and 80 days after the special primary election.

On November 5, voters in Arizona rejected a ballot measure to implement ranked choice voting in general elections and defeated a competing measure to require partisan primaries.

The ranked choice voting measure, Proposition 140, requires primaries in which candidates, regardless of partisan affiliation, appear on a single ballot.

The measure allows a certain number to advance to the general election, such as top-two or top-four primaries.

In contrast, the partisan primary measure, Proposition 133, is contradictory because a primary cannot be both partisan and include all candidates running in the same primary regardless of party.

While Proposition 133 doesn’t state that ranked-choice voting can’t be used in general elections, Proposition 140 conditions ranked-choice voting on a primary system change.

Proposition 133 would have added the existing system of partisan primaries to the Arizona Constitution, where voters select candidates to represent political parties in the general election.

As of 9:00 a.m. November 6, with more than 58% of the precincts reporting, Proposition 133 failed 58% to 42%.

The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office has increased campaign contribution limits for the 2023-2024 election cycle.

An individual may now contribute $5,400 per election cycle to a candidate committee for statewide office and legislative office.

Additionally, an individual may contribute $6,650 per election cycle to a candidate committee for district, county, town, and city office.

Contribution limits for PACs have also increased. A PAC without Mega PAC status may contribute $5,400 per election cycle to a candidate for statewide office.

In contrast, a PAC with Mega PAC status may contribute $10,800 per election cycle to candidates for statewide and legislative office, and $13,300 per election cycle to candidates for district, county, town, and city office.

These increases are implemented by the secretary of state in January of odd-numbered years.

Arizona voters approved a constitutional amendment creating the position of lieutenant governor.

Under Proposition 131, the lieutenant governor would be elected on a joint ticket with the governor and would succeed the governor in case of a vacancy.

Arizona is one of five states without a lieutenant governor position.

As of 8:30 a.m. November 9, with 58% of the precincts reporting, the amendment passed 55% to 45%.

Arizona voters approved a campaign finance ballot measure requiring disclosure of original campaign donors.

Proposition 211 requires that anyone making independent expenditures of more than $50,000 on a statewide campaign or $25,000 on a local campaign to disclose the names of the money’s original sources, defined as the persons or businesses that earned the money being spent.

Organizations that fail to disclose would face a fine equal to the amount contributed, or up to three times that amount.

Proposition 211 applies to corporations, nonprofit groups and charities that currently are not required to disclose the names of the people who give money to political campaigns that the organization backs.

As of 8:15 a.m. November 9, with 59% of the precincts reporting, the amendment passed 72.7% to 27.3%.

On November 8, Arizona voters will decide on a campaign finance ballot measure that would require disclosing names of original campaign donors.

Proposition 211 would require that anyone making independent expenditures of more than $50,000 on a statewide campaign or $25,000 on a local campaign to disclose the names of the money’s original sources, which would be defined as the persons or businesses that earned the money being spent.

Organizations that fail to disclose would face a fine equal to the amount contributed, or up to three times that amount.

Proposition 211 would apply to corporations, nonprofit groups and charities that currently are not required to disclose the names of the people who give money to political campaigns that the organization backs.

The proposition would pertain only to spending on political advertising and would be administered by The Citizens Clean Elections Commission.

An Arizona campaign finance bill passed that amends reporting requirements for political action committees and political parties.

Senate Bill 1355 provides for a calendar quarter without an election, a political action committee and political party must file a quarterly report no later than the third Monday in the month after the calendar quarter.

Previously the report was due the 15th day after the calendar quarter.

The bill takes effect September 24.

The 55^th Arizona Legislature adjourned its second regular session sine die on June 25.

During the session, Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation in March to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in Arizona’s elections, further protecting the state’s voters and strengthening election integrity.

In May, the governor continued to strengthen election laws, signing a bill to update Arizona’s automatic election recount margin threshold to one-half of one percent for specified election contests.

This does not affect lobbying reporting dates.

Arizona State Sen. Jamescita Peshlakai resigned her position on Wednesday, December 22 to take an appointment with the Biden administration.

Peshlakai is the 13^th legislator in Arizona to leave their seat in 2021.

County officials within Peshlakai’s district will choose her replacement.