Tucson Voters: Your Essential Guide to Casting Ballots for Prop. 414 This Tuesday!

Tucson election officials have announced that it is now too late to mail back Proposition 414 ballots. Voters can still submit their ballots in person until Election Day on Tuesday, March 11.

Proposition 414 proposes a half-cent increase in the city sales tax, aimed at generating approximately $80 million per year—totaling $800 million over a decade. The intent is to allocate roughly two-thirds of the revenue to enhance public safety, while the remaining funds would support social programs for low-income residents and the homeless.

Since the mailing of over 305,000 ballots to Tucson voters on February 12, the response has been moderate. As of March 5, approximately 62,381 ballots had been returned, reflecting a turnout of about 20 percent.

Voters wishing to drop off their completed ballots can do so at the City Clerk’s Elections Support Facility located at 800 E. 12th St., or at several Pima County Recorder’s Office locations—each open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Monday. Locations include the Downtown office at 240 N. Stone Ave., the elections branch at 6550 S. Country Club Rd., and the East Side office at 6920 E. Broadway, which closes for lunch between noon and 1 p.m.

For those who may have lost their ballot, replacement ballots are available during the same hours at the Elections Support Facility.

On Election Day, voters can access additional options to drop off completed ballots or obtain replacements at six designated voting centers. These locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 11, including the Department of Housing and Community Development, Morris K. Udall Regional Center, and Donna R. Liggins Recreation Center, among others.

Public safety initiatives outlined in Prop. 414 include funding for new personnel, equipment, and vehicles for local police and fire departments, representing about two-thirds of the proposed budget. Investments are also planned for the 911 and 311 call centers.

The funding allocations specify $246 million for capital investments, $182 million for personnel, and $140 million for affordable housing initiatives. Further allocations include $134 million targeted at community resilience programs and $98 million for technology enhancements in public safety.

If passed, the total sales tax in Tucson would increase to 9.2%. Currently, the sales tax stands at 8.7%, which encompasses various contributions from state, county, and city sources.

Local officials are preparing for the expiration of the existing half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements next year, with plans to propose a renewal to voters in the near future.

As the voting deadline approaches, the Pima County Recorder’s Office will ensure the integrity of the ballot process by verifying signatures before ballots are sent for tabulation.