Maricopa County Faces School Board Election Crisis: 81 Races May Be Canceled Due to Candidate Shortage

By Staff Reporter |

This year, the Maricopa County School Superintendent recommended the cancellation of 81 school board races due to a shortage of candidates. A total of 35 school districts were affected, which accounts for roughly 60 percent of Maricopa County’s 58 districts. In most cases, only one candidate entered the race, leading to default appointments for these positions.

Of the recommended appointments, 72 were designated for a sole candidate, while 9 seats were left vacant entirely. This situation underscores a lack of available candidates, resulting in limited voter choice for improving school governance.

The following districts have races impacted by this lack of candidates:

• Aguila Elementary School District: three appointments, two vacancies
• Alhambra Elementary School District: three appointments
• Arlington Elementary School District: three appointments
• Avondale Elementary School District: one appointment
• Balsz Elementary School District: one vacancy
• Buckeye Elementary School District: two appointments, one vacancy
• Cave Creek Unified School District: one appointment
• East Valley Institute of Technology – 4: one vacancy
• East Valley Institute of Technology – 6: one appointment
• East Valley Institute of Technology – 8: one appointment
• Fountain Hills Unified School District: one appointment
• Gila Bend Unified School District: one appointment, one vacancy
• Litchfield Elementary School District: three appointments
• Littleton Elementary School District: three appointments
• Madison Elementary School District: three appointments
• Mobile Elementary School District: three appointments
• Morristown Elementary School District: one appointment, one vacancy
• Murphy Elementary School District: three appointments, one vacancy
• Nadaburg Elementary School District: three appointments
• Osborn Elementary School District: three appointments
• Paloma Elementary School District: three appointments
• Palo Verde Elementary School District: four appointments
• Pendergast Elementary School District: three appointments
• Phoenix Elementary School District: three appointments
• Riverside Elementary School District: one appointment
• Saddle Mountain Unified School District: three appointments
• Sentinel Elementary School District: three appointments
• Tempe Union High School District: three appointments
• Union Elementary School District: two appointments, one vacancy
• West MEC – 3: one appointment
• West MEC – 4: one appointment
• West MEC – 5: one appointment
• West MEC – 6: one appointment
• Wickenburg Unified School District: three appointments
• Wilson Elementary School District: one appointment

A total of 12 write-in candidates emerged among the appointments, including several for Aguila and Paloma Elementary School Districts. The deadline for these write-in candidates was at the end of July, following an application period that started in June.

Under state law, the county school superintendent can appoint a qualified elector or call a special election to fill vacant seats. If opting for an appointment, the superintendent reviews a list of candidates provided by the district governing board, along with any other interested applicants. Interviews are conducted to filter through potential appointees.

Eligibility for serving on a school governing board requires individuals to be registered voters and residents of the district for at least one year prior to the election day.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will make the final decision on the superintendent’s recommendations.