COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON... A DEBATE ON PROPOSITION 134, WHICH WOULD MAKE FOR SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE STATE'S BALLOT INITIATIVE PROCESS... AND WE'LL LOOK AT HOW IMMIGRATION LAWS ARE MADE AND ENFORCED IN ARIZONA.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE.

NEXT, ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

DONALD TRUMP'S RECENT THREAT TO IMPRISON ELECTION OFFICIALS THAT HE CLAIMS COMMITTED QUOTE, "RAMPANT CHEATING AND SKULLDUGGERY" IN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF ARIZONA'S CHIEF ELECTION OFFICIAL SECRETARY OF STATE ADRIAN FONTES.

>> SWELL, THERE IS A QUOTE/UNQUOTE PROSECUTION TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW, IF THERE IS, I SAY BRING IT, BECAUSE THERE'S NO EVIDENCE.

THERE'S NEVER BEEN ANY EVIDENCE.

NOW, IF HE'S SAYING THE PROSECUTION OUTSIDE OF THE LAW, IF HE'S SAYING THAT'S GOING TO WEAPONIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FEDERAL PROSECUTION AGAINST LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS, THEN WE'VE GOT A VERY, VERY DARK FUTURE TO LOOK AT IF THAT'S WHAT ENDS UP MANIFESTING.

>> THESE COMMENTS ARE NOT POLITICAL.

THEY ARE TYRANNICAL.

THEY DON'T SPEAK TO THE RULE OF LAW BUT SPEAK TO ONE PERSON'S GRIEVANCE.

AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE.

YOU KNOW, I WAS ON THAT SAME BALLOT IN 2020.

I LOST MY ELECTION FAIR AND SQUARE JUST LIKE MR. TRUMP DID, BUT NOBODY IN MY CAMP WAS CRYING ABOUT SKULL DUGGARY.

WE LOST FAIR AND SQUARE, AND WE WON FAIR AND SQUARE, AND THAT'S THE WAY IT WORKS IN AMERICA, AND THAT'S WHAT GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP ABOUT.

>> FONTES TOLD CNN THAT ANYONE CONCERNED ABOUT ELECTION INTEGRITY NEEDS TO LOOK AT THE FACTS AND NOT DONALD TRUMP'S BASELESS GRIEVANCES.

AND FONTES WANTS THE STATE SUPREME COURT TO BLOCK EFFORTS TO REMOVE PROPOSITION 140 FROM THE BALLOT.

PROP 140 WOULD CREATE A SYSTEM THAT WOULD GET RID OF PARTISAN PRIMARIES IN ARIZONA.

EFFORTS TO KEEP THE MEASURE FRO APPEARING ON THE BALLOT HAVE BEEN TIED UP IN THE COURTS, AND FONTES SAYS IT'S NOW TOO LATE TO KEEP LITIGATING THE ISSUE CONSIDERING BALLOTS FOR MORE THAN HALF THE STATE ARE ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PRINTED.

THE STATE SUPREME COURT INITIALLY ORDERED THAT PROP 140 INDEED QUALIFIED FOR THE BALLOT, BUT THE JUSTICES ALLOWED LITIGATION TO CONTINUE KEEPING OPEN THE POSSIBILITY OF THE MEASURE APPEARING ON THE BALLOT WITHOUT THE RESULTS BEING COUNTED.

OTHER HEADLINES: JAMES EARL JONES DIED THIS MORNING AT THE AGE OF 93.

JONES WAS A PIONEERING ACTOR WH OVERCAME RACIAL PREJUDICE AND A SEVERE STUTTER PROBLEM TO BECOME A DEEP-VOICED ICON OF STAGE AND SCREEN.

HE WON EMMYS GRAMMYS, GOLDEN GLOBES, ALONG WITH AN HONORARY OSCAR AND A TONY AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT.

THE VOICE OF A LION KING AND DARTH VADAR, JAMES EARL JONES, DEAD AT 93.

AND ONE MORE HEADLINE OF NOTE: APPLE TODAY UNVEILED THE I-PHONE 16 WHICH IS THE FIRST APPLE SMARTPHONE PURPOSE-BUILT FOR GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

THIS LATEST I-PHONE INCARNATION ALSO COMES WITH A 40 PERCENT FASTER GPU AND 17 PERCENT MORE SYSTEM MEMORY BANDWITH TO HELP SUPPORT THE GENERATIVE AI CAPABILITIES.

THE NEW PHONE WAS INTRODUCED TODAY DURING APPLE'S ANNUAL HARDWARE EVENT.

TONIGHT, WE HAVE A DEBATE ON PROPOSITION 134, A BALLOT MEASURE THAT CALLS FOR EACH OF THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS TO BE REPRESENTED WHE SIGNATURES ARE COLLECTED FOR CITIZEN INTIATIVES.

JOINING US NOW IS DANNY SEIDEN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ARIZONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, WHICH SUPPORTS PROP 134... AND STATE SENATOR ANNA HERNANDEZ FROM ARIZONA DISTRICT 24.

SHE OPPOSES THE MEASURE.

HE.

>> WHY IS THIS A GOOD IDEA FOR ARIZONA.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TED.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DEBATE TODAY.

THIS IS A NO-BRAINER.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT WILL SEEK TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT PROCESS, THEY'RE OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

RURAL VOTERS IN ARIZONA, WHEN INITIATIVES COME IN, IT'S BEEN FAR TOO LONG WITHOUT A STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO COME IN AND SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN MARICOPA COUNTY TO CAMPAIGN JUST IN MARICOPA COUNTY AND ALL LEFT WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF IT.

WHAT THIS INITIATIVE SEEKS TO DO IS FORCE PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND TALK TO THE RURAL PEOPLE, GET OUT AND TALK TO THE FARMERS, THE TRIBES, EVERYONE.

GET THROUGHOUT AND UNDERSTAND HOW THEIR VIEW POINT IS ON THESE IDEAS THAT, AGAIN, IT'S HIGH STAKES PASSION INITIATIVES, VERY HARD TO CHANGE.

SO IF WE CAN MAKE THE PROCESS MORE INCLUSIVE, WE SHOULD MAKE IT MORE TRANCE PARENT, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING.

>> MORE INCLUSIVE AND INCLUDING ALL PARTS OF THE STATE, WHERE WHY IS THAT NOT A GOOD IDEA?

>> WELL, THE THE MATTER OF HOW WE'RE GOING ABOUT THIS IS A BAD IDEA.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRYING ELIMINATE THEIR ACCESS TO DIRECT DEMOCRACY HERE IN ARIZONA.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FAIRNESS AND MAKE THE PROCESS MORE INCLUSIVE, WHY NOT WORK ON EXTENDING SIGNATURES ELECTRONICALLY TO ALL OF THE RURAL VOTERS SO THEY CAN SIGN AN INITIATIVE PETITION, ELECTRONICALLY, LIKE WE DO FOR CANDIDATE RACES.

THAT WOULD A WAY TO MAKE IT MORE INCLUSIVE AND MORE FAIR.

>> BUT WITH THAT NOT BEING -- THAT'S NOT THE CASE RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT IN EFFECT RIGHT NOW, IS THIS A WAY TO ANSWER THAT?

>> THE IDEA OF REPRESENTATIONS IN COUNTIES AND AREAS AND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE -- >> NO.

WE ARE NOT -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SIGNATURES AND GETTING SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT.

RURAL VOTERS ACROSS ARIZONA STILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THEIR OPINION WITH A VOTE.

SO A PETITION INITIATIVE MAKES IT ON THE BALLOT, ALL VOTERS ACROSS ARIZONA WILL STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY VOTE.

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, WHAT I THINK THE CHAMBER IS IN FAVOR OF STILL REMOVING A DIRECT ACCESS TO DIRECT DEMOCRACY FROM THE VOTERS.

>> THE IDEA, REGARDLESS OF WHO SIGNS THE SIGNATURES, EVERYONE AROUND THE STATE WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THIS.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

>> WELL, FIRST OFF, LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW IT REALLY HAPPENS.

I MEAN, QUESTION POINT TIME AND TIME AGAIN WHERE OUT-OF-STATERS COME TO ARIZONA, GO TRITE MARICOPA COUNTY.

THAT'S ALL THE POPULACE THEY NEED TO GET SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT.

IT DOESN'T HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ELIMINATING ACCESS.

IT'S LENT TO ENCOURAGE MORE PARTICIPATION FROM OUR RURAL COUNTIES.

SEARCH AND SHOULD WANT THIS.

NO ONE SHOULD BE AGAINST THAT.

AND SO, NO, THE CHAMBER'S IN SUPPORT OF ANYTHING QUESTION DO TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL PROCESS, JUST LOOK AT LEGISLATIVE LEVEL WHEN SOMETHING -- WHEN SOMETHING IS INTRODUCED, THEY GO THROUGH A COMMITTEE PROCESS, PEOPLE CAN DEBATE.

THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS WITH AN INITIATIVE PROCESS.

RIGHT NOW JUST COME TO MARICOPA COUNTY AND SPEND A COUPLE MILLION DOLLARS AND THESE RURAL FARMERS, THEY NEVER REALLY HAVE THE CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE.

THEY NEVER GET INVOLVED.

>> AGAIN, I WOULD SAY WHY NOT MAKE IT TO WHERE RURAL VOTERS, FARMERS, AND THOSE ON TRIBAL LAND CAN SIGN INITIATIVE PETITIONS ONLINE.

THAT'S WHAT IT WOULD BE -- THAT WOULD MAKE MORE ENTERABLE 80 END OF THE DAY, RIGHT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT -- THIS PROCESS IS NOT EASY.

IF IT WAS SO EASY, WE COULD JUST CAMPAIGN IF MARICOPA COUNTY WE WOULD SEE A NUMBER OF BALLOT INITIATIVES ON THE BALLOT.

AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

THERE IS TWO I BELIEVE THIS YEAR.

>> BUT WE SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS REMOVING ONES THAT ARE FRAUDULENTLY ATTEMPTED TO BE PUT ON THE BALLOT.

WHICH WAS THE TIP CREDIT.

WE WORK TO KEEP THE REMOVAL OF RIGHT TO WORK.

SOME HAVE BEEN IN THE CONSTITUTION SINCE 1947.

SO IT MIGHT NOT LOOK EASY, BUT SOMEONE HAS TO FIGHT THESE THINGS, AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS INVOLVE EVERYONE IN THE PROCESS.

IF THIS IS A GOOD IDEA, IF IT'S A GOOD IDEA IN MAYOR COPE PARK IT SHOULD BE A GOOD IDEA IN YUMA, IT'S GOING IN OUR CONSTITUTION, AND IT'S NOT GONNA BE CHANGED.

>> BUT IF IT'S A GOOD IDEA AROUND THE STATE EXCEPT FOR ONE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, THAT ONE DISTRICT HAS THE ABILITY TO VETO -- HAVE VETO POWER OVER THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

IS THAT A GOOD THING?

>> I LOVE THIS ARGUMENT BECAUSE IT'S RIDICULOUS.

YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, THE WAY IT'S WORKING AND THE SENATOR NEXT TO ME, THE POPULATION IS A PORTION, RIGHT, 203,000 ROUGHLY IN THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.

SO IN ORDER TO HAVE THIS STREET OLD, THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, THIS IDEA WOULD HAVE TO BE SO TERRIBLE THAT ALL WOULD JUST SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO SIGN IT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SIGN NEIGH DOES THIS.

IS THIS IDEA THAT BAD WHERE IT TURNS OFF 200,000 PEOPLE?

IT SHOULDN'T BE ON THE BALLOT.

I THINK IT'S AN ARGUMENT FOR US.

>>> IF YOU CAN'T GET 10% OF VOTES CAST FROM THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, 52 CONSTITUTION AUTOMATIC MINUTES IS WHAT IT CALLS FOR, IF YOU CAN'T GET IN APACHEY OR YUMA COUNTIES, IS IT THE KIND OF THING WE SHOULD ALL BE VOTING FOR?

>> ABSOLUTE PEOPLE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

WE ARE NOT SAYING THAT SIMPLY BY BRINGING SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT THAT IT'S GOING TO PASS.

I GO AND CAMPAIGN FOR SIGNATURES TO BE ON THE BALLOT.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE VOTERS -- THE CONSTITUENTS THAT SIGN MY BALLOT ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR ME.

BUT THEY'RE HE GIVING THE ENTIRE DISTRICT AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THE CANDIDATES EASY.

WHY ARE WE NOT DOING THAT STATEWIDE AND ALLOWING ALL OF THE VOTERS OF ARIZONA TO VOTE ON THE SAME THING.

>> THEY SHOULD, AND SHOULD ALL HAVE TO SIGN FOR IT, TOO, BECAUSE LET'S JUST BE HONEST ABOUT HOW THIS HAPPENED.

SPECIAL INTERESTS WILL COME IN, THEY RUSH TO GET SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT, THEY'LL SAY THAT IS ABOUT EDUCATION, AND PEOPLE WILL JUST SIGN THEIR NAME UNWILLINGLY.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED IN RURAL ARIZONA WHEN YOU GO TO A RURAL SMALL BUSINESS, YOU GO TO A RURAL GROCERY STORE, THEY TAKE THE TIME, THEY READ IT, THEY TAKE A LOT OF AIR AND CONCERN WHEN THEY SIGN THEIR NAME AND WE JUST WANT MORE PARTICIPATION, NOT LESS.

>> SO WE'RE SAYING VOTERS IN MARICOPA COUNTY DON'T LEAD WITH THEY'RE SIGNING?

>> TIME AND TIME AGAIN I THINK OFTENTIMES THEY DON'T, THAT OFTENTIMES THEY ARE NOT BEING -- THE SIGNATURE -- THEY'RE NOT BEING HONEST WITH THE VOTERS IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

AND PEOPLE COME OUT, THERE'S NO TIME, OH, THIS IS ABOUT EDUCATION, HERE'S FOUR OTHER THINGS I WANT TO YOU SIGN.

LET'S BE HONEST, THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.

WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THE PROCESS BETTER.

>> HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

>> IF WE'RE GOING TO BE HONEST, LET'S MAKE EQUITIABLE ACROSS THE BOARD.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU'RE SAYING THAT IF THIS ONE DISTRICT DOESN'T WANT SOMETHING, THAT'S AT THE CORE OF THE LEGISLATURE, DEMOCRATS REPRESENT ALMOST 50% OF ARIZONA AND WHO IS IT THAT THE LEGISLATION HAS HEARD?

IT IS NOT LEGISLATION THAT HAS THE BENEFIT TO ALL OF ARIZONA.

SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CHAMBER WANTS TO PRE-EMPT, BE PRE-EMPTIVE IN WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN DOWNTOWN ROAD.

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE USE THE INITIATIVE PROCESS.

THE CHAMBER HAS USED THE REFERRAL.

WE'VE USED THE PROCESS IN THE PAST.

WE WOULD ONLY BE HURTING OURSELVES MAKING HARDER.

THIS IS ABOUT PRINCIPLE FOR US AND WE WANT MORE PARTICIPATION.

SOUNDS LIKE WE DIFFER ON HOW THAT HAPPENS.

>> YOU MENTIONED THIS IS A REFERRAL TO THE BALLOT AND THE LEGISLATURE.

AND THIS IS WILD HERE, BUT THE IDEA THAT ONE LAWMAKER FROM ONE DISTRICT CAN SAY, NOPE, DON'T WANT TO SEE IT.

DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN, THAT WOULD SHOOT DOWN ANY REFERRAL THAT GOES TO THE BALLOT?

ARE WE TALKING APPLES AND ORANGES HERE, OR DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> I THINK YOU CAN, IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

AND SENATOR SCHUMER, SHE'S WORKED WITH RURAL REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS TO STOP REALLY BAD IDEAS.

SO, AGAIN, I DON'T THINK WE'RE DISAGREEING ABOUT THE NEED OF MORE PARTICIPATION PARTICULARLY FROM THE RURAL AREA BUT DISAGREE ABOUT THE MECHANISM.

I ARGUE, THAT YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU CAMPAIGN TO DO A CITIZENS INITIATIVE, THE STAKES ARE SO HIGH, TED, IT DOESN'T CHANGE.

YOU HAVE TO WORK SO HARD IF YOU EVER WANT TO AMEND IT, OR LOCKED IN FOREVER.

WE SHOULD BE EXTRA CAREFUL, WE SHOULD SEEK EXTRA PARTICIPATION AND THE RURAL MEMBERS OF OUR STATE, THEY DESERVE A VOICE IN THAT.

THEY HE DISCOVERY HAVE SOME BUY-IN IN.

AND SHE SAYS SHE GETS SIGNATURES AROUND HER DISTRICT, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT ATTORNEY DO.

>> MORE THAN HALF OF STATES HAVE THESE KINDS OF REQUIREMENTS.

TIME FOR ARIZONA TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS?

>> AGAIN, WE DISAGREE ON THE FORM THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE HE.

I STILL THINK THAT THE IDEA WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO EXPANDING ACCESS TO HOW RESIDENTS SIGN ON TO BALLOT MEASURES.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH MAKING ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES FOR INITIATIVES?

YOU ADDRESSED THE INCLUSIVITY, MAKING IT MORE INCLUSIVE, MAKING MORE REACHABLE TO TRIBAL VOTERS, TO RURAL VOTERS, TO THE FARMERS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT PATH.

>> AND SEPARATE ISSUE, THAT'S NOT WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT RIGHT NOW, BUT BE HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES AND WE AT THE CHAMBER, MY MEMBERS BELIEVE, MORE ACCESS IS BETTER.

WE WANT TO MAKE EASIER TO VOTE AND.

>> IS WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT RIGHT NOW WITH PROP 134 IS THAT A DEFACTO ELIMINATION OF CITIZEN INITIATIVES?

>> OH, GOSH, NO.

TED, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

ALL -- AS YOU POINT OUT, IT'S NOT A NOVEL CONCEPT.

THE MAJORITY OF STATES HAVE THIS, THE CITIZENS IN THIS INITIATIVE PROCESS, THIS VERY THIS REQUIREMENT.

THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT TO THE REGISTERED DISTRICT.

YOU MAKE IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S COUNTY BY COUNTY.

IT'S NOT COUNTY BY COUNTY, IT'S LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, 75% WHICH IS IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

SO I THINK IT'S A LITTLE ASININE AND NOT A COMPLETE GENUINE ARGUMENT SAYING YOU ADOPT THIS.

IT'S VERY DOABLE.

>> HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> WELL, THE PROCESS COULD GET SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT AND IT'S ALREADY DIFFICULT.

FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE TWO PROPOSITIONS, CITIZENS INITIATIVE THAT'S ON THE BALLOT IS PROP 139 FOR AAA.

THEY HAD TO COLLECT OVER 800,000 SIGNATURES JUST TO MAKE IT ON THE BALLOT.

HISTORICALLY THOSE ARE ONE OF THE TWO THIS YEAR, THERE WAS TWO IN 2022, AND TWO THEY 2020.

I FEEL LIKE THIS IS ALREADY WORKING WE'RE ONLY SEEING MINIMAL CITIZENS INITIATIVES ON THE BALLOT.

>> DO YOU THINK IS WHAT THE FRAMERS HAD IN MIND WHEN THEY SET UP THE CITIZEN INITIATIVE PROCESS?

>> I'LL GO ONE STEP FURTHER, I THINK THEY HAD IT IN MIND WHEN THEY SET THE ELECTORAL COLLEGES, TED.

I THINK THE POINT THAT THE OPPOSITION SIDE IS MAKE SOMETHING THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN MARICOPA SHOULD RULE THE STATE, I DISAGREE WITH THAT.

AND WHAT IT'S SAYING IS WHEN YOU VOTE FOR PUTT SHOULD ONLY HAVE TO GO TO NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES, MIAMI.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS.

IT FORCES REPRESENTATION FOR OUR MORE RURAL MEMBERS, OUR FARMERS, OUR AG PEOPLE.

>> LAST WORD ON THIS.

>> SOUNDS LIKE THE CHAMBER WOULD SUPPORT ABOLISHING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE TO MAKE IT MORE FAIR ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> WE FINALLY GOT SOMETHING HERE.

THANK YOU, BOTH, FOR JOINING ME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

IS STATE AND LOCAL RACES HAVE AN EVEN BIGGER IMPACT ONCE SHREK LEADERS ARE TASKED THEY'RE ANSWERING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS LIKE WHO PRIORITIZES FOR COMPLETION.

TRASH PICK-UP AND HOW DO SCHOOLS OPERATE AND VACANT LAND THAT'S DECIMATED FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES OR HIGH DENSITY APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

SOMETIMES VOTERS ARE ASKED TO WEIGH IN ON THESE ISSUES FOR BALLOT INITIATIVES.

AND THEN HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE IF IT PASSES BY THE LEGISLATURE AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THEY 2020 PROPOSITION 207 ASKED ARIZONA VOTERS WHETHER MARIJUANA POSSESSION AND USE SHOULD BE LEGALIZED.

60% OF VOTERS SAID YES AND THEY PUT A NEW LAW INTO PLACE.

BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WE'RE ELECTING LEADERS TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS, SINCE THESE LEADERS WORK FOR US AND OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES -- AND REPRESENT OUR INTEREST AND VALUES, IT'S IMPORTANT TO VOTE.

IN ELECTION YEAR THERE ARE GENERALLY TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO VOTE.

THE PRIMARY, WHICH ALLOWS EACH POLITICAL PARTY TOE SELECT A CANDIDATE TO RUN FOR A PARTICULAR OFFICE, AND GENERAL ELECTION, WHICH ALLOWS VOTERS TO ELECT A CANDIDATE FOR THAT OFFICE.

TO VOTE IN ARIZONA YOU'LL FIRST NEED TO REGISTER, AND TO DO, THAT YOU HAVE TO BE A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES, A RESIDENT OF ARIZONA, AND AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE BY THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION TO REGISTER YOU'LL NEED AN ARIZONA DRIVER'S LICENSE OR NON-OPERATING ID CARD.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE EITHER OF THESE, YOU'LL NEED OTHER PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP, A BIRTH CERTIFICATE, A U.S. PASSPORT OR NATURALIZATION DOCUMENT, OR A TRIBAL ENROLLMENT NUMBER.

CHECK THE ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PAPERWORK.

WITHIN FOUR TO SIX WEEKS OF SUBMITTING YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION FORM, YOU SHOULD RECEIVE A VOTER REGISTRATION CARD IN THE MAIL ALONG WITH INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DESIGNATED POLLING PLACE, WHICH IS WHERE YOU'LL GO IF YOU CHOOSE TO VOTE IN PERSON.

THERE ARE CASES WHERE ADULTS AND RESIDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE, FOR EXAMPLE, CONVICTED FELONS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO VOTE UNTIL THEY'VE SERVED THEIR TIMES AND RIGHTS HAVE BEEN RESTORED AND THERE ARE ALSO CASE WHERE IS A COURT CAN FIND SOMEONE NOT MENTALLY CAPABLE OF MAKING THE IMPORTANT DECISIONS VOTERS ARE ASKED TO MAKE DUE TO A MEDICAL CONDITION OR OTHER FACTORS.

>> IN ARIZONA VOTERS MULTIPLE OPTIONS FOR HOW WE CAST ALL BALLOTS.

THE MORE TRADITIONAL APPROACH IS VISIT YOUR DESIGNATED POLLING PLACE IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY.

IF THAT'S A CHOICE, REMEMBER TO BRING IN AT LEAST ONE FORM OF ID.

YOU CAN ALSO CAST YOUR BALLOT IN PERSON DURING THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD.

AND FINALLY, ARIZONA ALLOWS ANY VOTER TO REQUEST A BALLOT BY MAIL.

UPON RECEIVING YOUR BALLOT, YOU CAN FILL IT OUT AT HOME AND RETURN IT BY MAIL OR ANY POLLING PLACE BEFORE OR ON THE ELECTION DAY.

AGAIN, CHECK AZ SOS.GOV TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE PREPARED TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY THROUGH THE ELECTION PROCESS.

YOU CAN CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS OR SPEAK OUT ABOUT ISSUES AT ANYTIME, VOTING FOR THE PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT YOU A POWERFUL WAY TO SHAPE YOUR COMMUNITY.

MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD, FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE, AND BE SURE TO VOTE.

I'M TED SIMONS OF ARIZONA PBS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS EPISODE OF VOTE.

THE CENTER FOR THE FUTURE OF ARIZONA PARTNERED WITH THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SHARED PRIORITIES OF ARIZONANS AND HOW BEST TO AFFECT CHANGE ON A LOCAL AND STATEWIDE LEVEL.

EACH MONTH WE'RE LOOKING AT THE SHARED PUBLIC VALUES THAT MOST AFFECT ARIZONANS' EVERYDAY LIVES.

TONIGHT: A LOOK AT IMMIGRATION.

AS OF 2023 IT'S BELIEVED.

THAT THERE ARE NEARLY 273,000 UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN ARIZONA.

PRODUCER SHANA FISCHER AND PHOTOGRAPHER RON BRUCE INTRODUCE US TO A YOUNG WOMAN TRYING TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM FOR THE BETTER.

>>> EVERY DAY RAYNA MONTOYA IS PAYING IT FORWARD.

>> I FEEL LIKE I'M ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.

>> Reporter: MONTOYA IS THE FOUNDER OF A GRASS ROOTS NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO HELPING UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY IMMIGRATION LAWS.

>> I TRY TO HELP CHILDREN THAT GREW UP JUST LIKE ME AND WHO HAVE DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS.

>> Reporter: WHEN MONTOYA WAS A YOUNG GIRL HER FATHER WHISKED HER FAMILY AWAY FROM HER HOME IN MEXICO TO ESCAPE VIOLENCE.

THEY EVENTUALLY MADE THEIR WAY TO MESA, ARIZONA.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH WHEN I FIRST LEFT CAME HERE, AND I JUST REMEMBER CRYING AND PRAYING TO GOD TO HELP ME NOT FEEL SO ISOLATED.

>> Reporter: MONTOYA REFUSED TO GIVE UP.

SHE LEARNED ENGLISH, MADE FRIENDS AND EXCELLED IN SCHOOL.

SHE WAS ACCEPT FOOD IN ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY AND RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS AND THAT'S WHEN HER WORLD CAME CRUMBLING DOWN.

>> I WAS TRYING TO DO THE PAPERWORK, AND IT ASK ME ME FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, AND I SAID I DON'T HAVE THAT.

>> Reporter: WITHOUT A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER SHE WASN'T LEGALLY ENTITLED TO THOSE SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS, AND ANOTHER ENORMOUS BLOW TO HER COLLEGE PLANS, EVEN THOUGH MONTOYA GRADUATED FROM AN ARIZONA HIGH SCHOOL, STATE LAW REQUIRED HER TO PAY OUT OF STATE TUITION.

>> I HAD TO PAY TWO TIMES MORE THAN ANY OTHER STUDENT WHO HAD IN-STATE TUITION.

BECAUSE MY PARENTS BEING WORKING CLASS, I WORKED MY WAY BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TO A -- AFFORD THAT.

>> Reporter: SHE RECEIVED A SCHOLARSHIP AND GRADUATED WITH TWO DEGREES.

>> I RECOGNIZE THAT THE MOST OUTSTANDING OF THE GRADUATE STUDENTS AT HISPANIC INNOVATION -- INVOCATION SO I WAS GIVEN THIS AWARD, AND I WAS REALLY SAD.

I WAS REALLY DEVASTATED BECAUSE I ASSUMED I WAS GOING TO WALK OFF OF THAT STAGE AND THEN BE AN UNDOCUMENTED TEEN AGAIN, WHO WILL HAVE NO OPPORTUNITIES FOR OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORKFORCE.

>> Reporter: BUT A REPRIEVE JUST WEEKS AFTER HER GRADUATION.

A NEW FEDERAL PROGRAM CALLED DACA.

IT TEMPORARILY DELAYED THE DEPORTATION OF PEOPLE WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION LIKE MONTOYA WHO CAME TO THE U.S. AS CHILDREN.

IT ALSO GRANTS THEM WORK AUTHORIZATION.

BUT DOCK CAME IS NOT A SOLUTION NOR -- BUT DACA IS NOT A SOLUTION, SHE HAS TO APPLY FOR DACA STATUS EVERY TWO YEARS AND NOT GUARANTEED RENEWAL.

>> IT'S VERY SCARY TO THINK ONE DAY I COULD BE DEPORTED TO A PLACE THAT CREATED SO MUCH TRAUMA IN MY FAMILY.

NOBODY IN THIS COUNTRY WANTS TO BE HE -- THERE'S NOT A FUNCTIONAL SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS US TO BE RIGHT WITH THE LAW.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY THAT EVERY COUNTRY FACES.

>> Reporter: EVELYN SANTA CRUZ A DIRECTOR OF THE IMMIGRATION CLINIC AT THE SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR COLLEGE OF LAW.

SHE SAYS FIXING THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM COMES DOWN TO UNDERSTANDING WHY PEOPLE MIGRATE TO OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND THEN CREATING LAWS THAT ADDRESS THOSE REASONS.

CRUZ SAYS WE DO NEED TO CONTROL WHO CROSSES THE BORDER, BUT CLOSING IT DOWN OR BUILDING A WALL WOULD NOT BE EFFECTIVE.

>> WHAT WE ALSO NEED TO DO IS CREATE A SYSTEM THAT ALLOW US TO MANAGE IT, YOU KNOW, A WAY THAT SERVES EVERYBODY'S INTEREST.

BECAUSE CLOSING DOORS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR SOCIAL REASONS, FOR ECONOMIC REASONS, AND IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE FOR COMMUNITY-BUILDING.

>> Reporter: CRUZ SAYS THERE'S ALSO A MISCONCEPTION THAT ANYONE WHO ENTERS THE U.S. CAN BECOME A CITIZEN.

SHE SAYS THAT'S SIMPLY NOT TRUE.

>> WHETHER SOMEONE CAN IMMIGRATE TO THE UNITED STATES, IT IS A FEDERAL PROCESS.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE ONLY THREE WAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS CITIZENSHIP, THE FIRST IS IF AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER LEGALLY LIVING IN THE U.S.

FILE AS PETITION.

>> YOU MUST OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT, AND.

>> AND THE THIRD IS BY SEEKING ASYLUM, AND THE PROCESS IS FAR FROM QUICK.

ANYWHERE FROM FOUR TO 10 YEARS AND ANOTHER 5 TO ACHIEVE FULL NATURALIZATION.

WHILE IMMIGRANTS WAIT FOR THEIR GREEN CARDS, THEY CAN WORK AND RECEIVE FEDERAL BENEFITS LIKE MEDICAL INSURANCE.

UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS CANNOT.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC BENEFITS, STATES HAVE LATITUDE TO DECIDE WHO HAS ACCESS TO THOSE.

ARIZONA'S LAWS ARE AMONGST THE STRICTEST IN THE NATION.

NO FINANCIAL AID NO, HEALTHCARE, AND NO ISSUING OF DRIVER'S LICENSES OR STATE ID.

BUT RECENTLY MONTOYA AND ALIENTO AZ LED AN EFFORT TO CHANGE THE LAW THAT ALMOST ENDED HER COLLEGE DREAM.

>> PROP 308 ALLOWS UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS TO RECEIVE IN-STATE COLLEGE TUITION RATES, AND THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR STATE FINANCIAL AID.

THERE ARE STIPULATIONS.

THEY MUST HAVE ATTENDED SCHOOL IN ARIZONA FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND GRADUATED.

AND MONTOYA SAYS THAT'S WHAT SHE'S FIGHTING FOR, TO BE SEEN AS AN EQUAL, NOT AS AN OTHER.

>> I HAVE DREAMS JUST LIKE THEM, AND I'M IN ARIZONA AND I WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE STATE HAS BEEN SO GENEROUS TO ME, AND RATHER THAN MAKE ASSUMPTIONS OR THINK OF A NARRATIVE THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY CONNECT REGARDLESS OF WHERE WE COME FROM.

>> ACCORDING TO U.S.

CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES THERE ARE CURRENTLY 5 MILLION IMMIGRANTS AWAITING GREEN CARDS.

REYNA'S FATHER WAS GRANTED ASYLUM AND APPROVED FOR A GREEN CARD.

THAT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO.

HE'S STILL WAITING.

THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.