Urgent: Submit Your Ballot Request by 5 PM This Wednesday for Tucson’s Prop. 414 Election!

Tucson voters have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to request a mail-in ballot for the March 11 Prop. 414 election. This proposition seeks to increase the city’s sales tax by half a cent per dollar for ten years, aiming to enhance funding for public safety and social services.

Voters who need assistance with ballots can contact the Tucson City Clerk’s Office at 520-791-4213. The Clerk’s Office has already sent ballots to over 305,000 registered voters as of February 12. By February 21, 20,085 ballots had been processed for review.

To ensure timely participation, voters should aim to return their early ballots by March 5. After this date, completed ballots can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Elections Support Facility, located at 800 E. 12th St., or at various Pima County Recorder’s Office locations, including the Downtown site at 240 N. Stone Ave. and the elections branch at 6550 S. Country Club Rd.

On Election Day, March 11, six voting centers will welcome voters, allowing them to obtain replacement ballots or drop off their completed ones. One center will be established in each ward, with the Elections Support Facility also available for ballot drop-offs.

Proposition 414 is projected to generate approximately $80 million annually, totaling around $800 million over its decade-long lifespan. Funding allocations include:

• $246 million for capital investments in public safety, such as new police vehicles and fire equipment.
• $182 million for staffing increases in police, fire departments, and emergency services.
• $140 million towards affordable housing initiatives, aiding low-income residents and enhancing existing housing.
• $134 million for community resilience programs aimed at reducing violent crime and supporting youth initiatives.
• $98 million for upgrading technology in public safety operations, including body cameras and communication systems.

The proposition enjoys support from Mayor Regina Romero and the Tucson City Council, as well as local police and fire unions, who prominently back the Yes on 414 campaign. However, some members of the business community oppose the sales tax increase, advocating for public safety solutions without raising taxes.

If approved, Tucson’s sales tax would rise from the current 8.7% to 9.2%. Currently, that tax rate comprises multiple components, including state and county taxes, as well as city taxes for general operations and designated improvements. Detractors, including homeless advocates, argue that the funding favors law enforcement over necessary support for the homeless population.

Ballots for the election are printed by Runbeck, with signature verification handled by the Pima County Recorder’s Office prior to final tabulation by the City Clerk’s Office.