Tucson Voters: Don’t Miss Wednesday Deadline to Request Mail-in Ballot for Prop. 414!

Tucson voters who have not received a ballot or misplaced theirs for the upcoming March 11 Prop. 414 election have until 5 p.m. on Wednesday to request a replacement ballot by mail.

Proposition 414 proposes to increase the city’s sales tax by half a cent per dollar for ten years, aimed at enhancing funding for public safety and social services.

Voters needing a ballot or wishing to verify their ballot status can contact the Tucson City Clerk’s Office at 520-791-4213. Ballots were sent to over 305,000 registered voters on February 12, and by February 21, 11,122 ballots had been processed and forwarded to review boards.

To ensure their voices are heard, voters are encouraged to mail their early ballots by March 5. After this date, completed ballots should be dropped off at the City Clerk’s Elections Support Facility, located at 800 E. 12th St., or at one of the Pima County Recorder’s Office locations. These include the Downtown location at 240 N. Stone Ave., the elections branch at 6550 S. Country Club Rd., and the East Side office at 6920 E. Broadway, which is closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

On Election Day, March 11, voters can obtain replacement ballots or drop off completed ones at six accessible voting centers, each situated in a different ward, as well as at the Election Support Facility.

Proposition 414 is projected to generate roughly $80 million annually, totaling $800 million over a decade. The funding distribution is as follows:

• $246 million (31%) for capital investments in public safety, including new police cars and equipment, as well as upgraded facilities for police and fire departments.
• $182 million (23%) aimed at increasing personnel for law enforcement and emergency services, enhancing the city’s new CSARC surveillance system.
• $140 million (17%) allocated for affordable housing initiatives, including support for current homeowners and rental units, alongside facilities aimed at helping those struggling with addiction.
• $134 million (17%) dedicated to community resilience programs designed to combat violent crime and support various local initiatives.
• $98 million (12%) for technological improvements to bolster public safety, including body cameras and advanced communication systems for first responders.

Support for Proposition 414 comes from Mayor Regina Romero, the Tucson City Council, and local police and fire unions, who are prominent backers of the campaign. However, some in the business community have expressed their opposition to the sales tax increase, arguing that while they support public safety, they do not agree with the proposed tax hike. Additionally, a number of homeless advocates criticize the proposition for prioritizing police funding over supportive services for the homeless population.

If approved, Tucson’s sales tax will rise from the current rate of 8.7% to 9.2%. This existing rate comprises various components: a 5% Arizona state sales tax, a 0.6% statewide tax for education, a 0.5% county tax for the Regional Transportation Authority, a 2% city sales tax for general operations, a 0.5% city tax for street improvements, and a 0.1% city tax for zoo enhancements.

Ballots are being printed and prepared for mailing by Runbeck, while the Pima County Recorder’s Office is responsible for verifying signatures on ballot envelopes before they are sent to the City Clerk’s Office for counting.