VOTE411 Voter Guide

PROPOSITION 319; REFERRED TO THE PEOPLE BY THE LEGISLATURE RELATING TO PHOTO ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS Official Title: AMENDING SECTION 28-1201, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES; AMENDING TITLE 28, CHAPTER 3, ARTICLE 21, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES, BY ADDING SECTION 28-1207. Descriptive Title: PROHIBITS STATE AGENCIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM USING PHOTO ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS FOR TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UNLESS PROVIDED BY CONTRACT AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2026; REQUIRES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO OBTAIN VOTER APPROVAL TO CONTINUE THEIR USE. Ballot measures approved by Arizona voters are difficult to change. Constitutional amendments can be changed only if voters approve another constitutional amendment. Voter-approved laws are protected by Arizona’s Voter Protection Act, which prohibits the Legislature from repealing them and allows amendments only with a three-fourths vote of each legislative chamber when the amendment furthers the measure’s original purpose.Impact on ArizonansA YES vote would prohibit state agencies and local governments from starting new photo-enforcement programs unless they have contracted for the systems by December 31, 2026. Local governments with existing systems would have to obtain voter approval at the next regular general election and every 10 years thereafter to continue using them.A NO vote would leave Arizona’s current laws governing photo-enforcement systems unchanged. State agencies and local governments could continue to use or establish photo-enforcement systems as permitted under existing law.BackgroundArizona law currently allows some local governments to use photo-enforcement systems, such as red-light and speed cameras, to identify traffic violations. State law regulates their use, including restrictions on photo enforcement on state highways and requirements for signs or notices where such systems operate.Proposition 319 would generally prohibit state agencies and local governments from establishing new photo-enforcement systems. Local jurisdictions that want to continue or establish a system would need to have a signed contract, acquire the system by December 31, 2026, and meet the measure’s other requirements. Jurisdictions that have not budgeted or contracted for a system by that deadline could effectively lose the option to establish one later. Existing systems would also be subject to the measure’s requirements, including voter approval for their continued use.Similar legislation restricting photo enforcement was passed by the Legislature in 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor. Key ProvisionsProhibit new photo-enforcement systems after December 31, 2026. State agencies and local governments could not begin using new automated systems, such as speed or red-light cameras, after that date unless they meet the measure’s requirements.Allow certain systems already in place or under contract to continue. A local jurisdiction would need to have the system acquired and a signed contract in place by December 31, 2026, and comply with the measure’s other requirements.Require voter approval for continued use. Local governments with qualifying photo-enforcement systems would have to obtain voter approval to continue operating them.Require removal if voters reject the system. If voters do not approve continued use, the jurisdiction would be required to discontinue and remove the photo-enforcement system within the timeframe specified by the measure.Require future voter reapproval. Communities that approve continued photo enforcement would have to return the question to voters periodically every ten years to continue using the systems.Apply to automated enforcement of traffic laws. The restrictions would cover photo-enforcement systems used to identify violations of speed limits and traffic-control devices, including red-light violations.Fiscal AnalysisThe Legislature states that Proposition 319 is not expected to have a fiscal impact on the state General Fund. However, there could be costs to local governments that are not reflected in that statement. These may include costs associated with terminating existing photo-enforcement contracts, removing equipment, and replacing automated enforcement with additional law-enforcement resources in areas with significant speeding, red-light violations, or other traffic-safety concerns. The extent of these local costs would depend on each jurisdiction’s existing photo-enforcement program and how it chooses to address traffic enforcement if the systems are discontinued.For more information:Official Ballot LanguageArizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee: NonePublicly filed arguments for Publicly filed arguments againstDownload 2026 BALLOT PROPOSITIONS: MEET VOTE411LWVAZ nonpartisan guide to all the 2026 ballot propositions