Beyond the Ballot AZ

Judges make decisions that impact Arizonans every day but how much do you know about the judges on your ballot and how can you learn enough about them to decide if they should be retained?

In this episode Tom and Gina get into why the Arizona Constitution requires some judges to periodically appear before voters for retention and how citizens play a role early on in this process.

With dozens of judges appearing on ballots across the ...

Prop. 320 would require certain Arizona school districts to direct at least 60% of their operational budgets toward direct instruction. While the measure is intended to put more resources toward teachers and classroom expenses, the conversation gets into a central question for voters: What actually counts as direct instruction?

Gina and Tom break down how this central idea in the proposition language is being defined and get into wh...

Gina and Tom take a closer look at Proposition 316, a statewide measure on the Nov. 3 ballot concerning local taxes on groceries.

The conversation explains how grocery taxes are structured across Arizona communities and why some cities and towns rely more heavily on this revenue than others. Plus, the discussion gets into how reductions in revenue could affect municipal budgeting and services, from roads to senior programs.

The episo...

Proposition 144 would require voters to provide government-issued identification when voting in each election, including when voting by mail. In this episode Gina and Tom explore how that differs from our state's current mail-ballot process which relies on the signature penned by voters located on the outside of the ballot's return envelope. 

The conversation gets into what proponents and opponents are saying about this proposi...

Arizona agriculture extends far beyond local produce—it is a cornerstone of the state’s economy, rich history, and the voter conversations surrounding one of Arizona’s most vital resources: water. In this episode Tom and Gina unpack the statewide scope of agriculture and explore the policy decisions shaping its future.

Arizona’s diverse climate enables farmers and ranchers to sustain a multibillion-dollar ind...

In a world of digital feeds, algorithms and an overwhelming amount of information, sometimes the most effective way to reach voters is also the simplest: having a conversation. In this episode Tom and Gina explore what it takes to connect with communities across Arizona.

This episode also gets into how answering a call from educators led to Clean Elections creating a civics comic book series. Listen to why it has been hugely success...

Arizona’s first Buc-ee’s arrived in Goodyear with huge fanfare, bringing with it enormous crowds, statewide attention and a new destination for in-state and out-of-state travelers. But long before opening day, city leaders were working behind the scenes to prepare for what would become one of the region’s most talked-about economic development projects.

In this episode Tom and Gina sit down with Goodyear Mayor Joe ...

Tom and Gina revisit this month's episodes which show just how many forms civic engagement can take.  They start with the role of libraries in a democracy, revealing the name of Arizona's longest operating library which has been recognized nationally for its work. And because we are in the throes of election season, they talk about what happens if anyone damages all of those political street signs peppered along city streets. ...

Arizona’s 92nd town is taking shape. In this episode Tom and Gina discuss one community’s path to incorporation, its inaugural election and the work of building a town government from the ground up. Listen to why San Tan Valley residents wanted to be incorporated and what it is like to be a town's second employee! The conversation also gets into how the future mayor and council members will be elected.

There is no doubt ...

Campaign signs signal that it is election season. They line intersections and pop up in neighborhoods. They remind voters that Election Day is approaching. But do they actually work?

Gina and Tom get into some of the thinking that goes into political street signs and grassroots tactics. They touch on famous campaign merchandise, some from Arizona that is forever etched into the history books.

The conversation also explores the financ...

Tom and Gina explore the essential role that public libraries play in civic life and community connection. They are places that foster media literacy, especially important in today's era of misinformation.  They also embody the same values that democracy demands: free and equal access to information.

The conversation centers around the Copper Queen Library in Bisbee which is the state's longest continuous library. It was recogn...

Tom and Gina had a busy July! This episode touches on how civics is meant to be experienced, whether it is being a poll worker to see first-hand how elections operate; seeking out information about the state budget; or learning about Arizona's international connections through local consuls.

Looking to the month ahead, this conversation gets into the state’s citizen initiative process, including how campaigns collect and submi...

Moderating a political debate requires far more than asking prepared questions. In this episode Tom and Gina speak with an Emmy Award-winning journalist and a moderator of this year’s Clean Elections' primary debates about the preparation, judgment and real-time decision-making required to do the job.

Effective debate moderation helps voters become better informed while demonstrating that people with different political perspe...

Explore the international connections that exist right here in Arizona through the state’s honorary consuls. Tom and Gina get into the economic impact of world-wide relationships, including the state's ties to Mexico, Canada, Asia and Europe as well as respective growing industries like semiconductors, bioscience and smart manufacturing.

The conversation highlights the importance of community-building and how a global event li...

Tom and Gina break down Arizona’s newly passed bipartisan state budget.  The conversation explains what the $18.3 billion budget means, where most state spending goes and how the decisions made at the Capitol could affect voters in their everyday lives.

The conversation puts the budget process into context, explaining that much of the state's spending is driven by education, health care and public safety needs, while lawm...

Tom and Gina discuss the essential role poll workers play in Arizona elections and how more are needed across the state leading up to the Primary Election and beyond. Oftentimes, they are our neighbors, friends and familiar faces from the community helping voters cast their ballots in person on Election Day.

This conversation gets into how to become a poll worker, explains what it means to serve as a poll worker and why the role is ...

Tom and Gina recap a busy June and remind you that early voting for the 2026 primary election is underway. So, now is the time to rewatch statewide, congressional and legislative debates hosted by Clean Elections. Start by listening to this episode to hear some of the most poignant questions posed to candidates by this year's moderators.

June also brought a look back at Arizona history, including Route 66 and the 1916 gubernatorial ...

In 1916 this Gubernatorial recount changed the outcome of the race but this story is a reminder of just how critical the administration of elections is to democracy. 

Hosts Tom and Gina sit down with Jaynie Adams, a historian with the Arizona Historical Society to talk about the year that gubernatorial candidate Thomas Campbell lost his race to incumbent Governor George Hunt after Hunt challenged the results and asked for a rec...

Tom and Gina mark the Route 66 centennial by sitting down with Leah Stagg, Director of the Mojave County Historical Society which operates the Route 66 Historical Museum. Hear the less known story about how this route was central to America’s early road system and its positive impact on Arizona to this day. Whether you are a road trip enthusiast or a history buff this episode captures the grit of communities along the route a...