September 8

June 25

Total Number:14

To Watch:
Proposition 200: Campaign Financing
Would establish a five-member commission to administer an alternative campaign financing system; set spending and contribution limits (reduces current contribution limits by 20 percent).

Proposition 201: Wildlife
Increases the penalties for participating in any way, shape or form in cockfighting.

Proposition 202: Taxes
Would give Arizona candidates for federal office the option to pledge to support and vote for the elimination of the federal income tax and IRS through the passage of a national consumption tax and permits "Signed the IRS Elimination Pledge" to be shown on the ballot next to pledging candidate's names.

Proposition 300: Medical Marijuana
Would amend Arizona's current medical marijuana law to require marijuana prescriptions be authorized by the federal Food and Drug Administration or be authorized by the U.S. Congress.

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PARTY CONTROL

Governor: Republican
U.S. Senate: 2 Republicans
U.S. House of Representatives: 1 Democrat, 5 Republicans
State Senate: 11 Democrats, 19 Republicans
State House of Representatives: 22 Democrats, 38 Republicans

Senate: All 30 seats up
House: All 60 seats up

State Projected Voting Age Population: 3,145,000 (1996)
Registered Voters: (3/98) 2,221,349

ELECTORAL VOTES

8

Clinton won in 1996; Bush in 1992; Bush in 1988; Reagan in 1984; Reagan in 1980; Ford in 1976; Nixon in 1972; Nixon in 1968; Goldwater in 1964; Nixon in 1960.

LAST TIME VOTED DEMOCRATIC FOR PRESIDENT: 1996

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1996:

Clinton: 47%
Dole: 44%
Perot: 8%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1992:

Bush: 38%
Clinton: 37%
Perot: 24%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1988:

Bush: 60%
Dukakis: 39%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1984:

Reagan: 66%
Mondale: 33%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1980:

Reagan: 61%
Carter 28%

1992:

• President
• Senate
• Other Issues

1994:

• Senate
• Governor
• Other Issues

1996:

• President
• Other Issues

Historical voter turnout as a percentage of the voting age population 1996-1960

Population: 4,428,000 (1996)
(% of voting age population)

White: 76.0%
African American: 2.6%
Asian: 1.4%
Native American: 4.2%
Other/Undeclared:

Persons of Hispanic origin account for 15.8% of the voting population (from 1990 census)

State Capital: Phoenix
State Nickname: Grand Canyon State

Arizona's population continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, an expansion based on high technology and low taxes. A lightly regulated private sector has provided bountiful returns and the inevitable problems that accompany fast growth, but with minimal government interference, Arizona embodies both conservative and independent politics. The home of the late Barry Goldwater, the GOP's 1964 presidential candidate, Arizona gave Ross Perot a quarter of its vote in 1992. Until supporting Clinton in 1996, it was the only state in the Union to have voted Republican in every presidential election since 1952. Campaign finance reform champion Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has gone from being a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War to being one of the most powerful and respected senators in Washington. McCain may push himself further into the national spotlight as a likely contender for the presidential race in 2000. McCain, who is not afraid to voice an unpopular opinion, is in a strong position to hang on to his Senate seat this fall. Gov. Jane Dee Hull is one of three women governors currently in office. Fifteen women (12D, 3R) have served as governors of thirteen states.

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