Beyond the Ballot AZ

Arizona is a very important state when it comes to elections.  In this episode of Beyond the Ballot AZ, Tom Collins and Gina Roberts sit down with Ned Foley, one of the nation’s leading experts on election law and constitutional democracy. Together, they discuss the decentralized U.S. election system, how transparency builds voter trust, and why election results can sometimes take days to come out...

Arizona is one of the few states where voters have a direct seat at the table.  In this episode, we break down the mechanics of Direct Democracy—including how initiatives, referendums, and recalls allow citizens to shape state law. Guest: Dr. Thom Reilly CCEC: Propositions FAQ CCEC Glossary: Initiative and Recall Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

An agreement between The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) has put a spotlight on guardianship, so we’re talking about how that can impact voting. We’re talking with Maya Abela, the Deputy Legal Director and leads the legal and advocacy staff at Disability Rights Arizona, about the history and current state of guardianship in Arizona. Guest: Maya Abela Disability...

Learn about the candidates who qualified for July’s primary and what being in the challenge period means.   Plus, hosts Tom Collins and Gina Roberts discuss the differences between vote centers and polling places, tribal voting coordination with the Navajo Nation, and Arizona's strict mail ballot deadline. Arizona is an "in hand state," meaning your ballot must be received by an election official...

Did you know Native Americans weren't fully granted the right to vote in Arizona until 1948? This week, the landscape of Native American voting rights in Arizona.  Tom and Gina sit down with the Honorable Lena Fowler, Coconino County District 5 Supervisor, to discuss the legal battles, the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the unique challenges tribal members still face today. Guest: Ho...

Living in Arizona means you see a large volume of political advertising. Pat Custer from AdImpact joins the podcast to talk about why political ads are growing on streaming, how much money is being spent on political advertising in Arizona and around the country, and more! Guest: Patrick Custer AdImpact's Political Projections Report 2025-2026 Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more...

Learn how Arizona keeps our voter rolls accurate! Former U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino joins the podcast to discuss the role of the federal government in elections, voter integrity, and the processes Arizona uses to ensure accurate voter rolls. He highlights that instances of unlawful voting are rare and explains election security Arizona. Guest: Gary Restaino Check or Update Your Registration How V...

Tom and Gina break down the most important election dates you need to know, especially for the upcoming primary! Arizona's Primary Election has moved up to July 21st this year and it means voters need to make a plan now. Arizona is a "Ballot-In-Hand" state! Your ballot must be physically received by your local election official by 7 p.m. on Election Day. A postmark is not enough. Resources: CCEC:...

How do the five core protections of the First Amendment actually impact you in Arizona? In this episode, hosts Tom and Gina sit down with Taylor Seely, First Amendment Reporter at The Arizona Republic and azcentral, to talk about the first amendment. Taylor also shares behind-the-scenes insights from moderating the Tempe City Council candidate debate. Guest: Taylor Seely Hosted on Ausha. See ausha...

Does the "Judicial Retention" section of your ballot leave you guessing? In this episode, hosts Tom and Gina sit down with Former Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, Scott Bales, to demystify the Arizona court system. We explore the vital role of a nonpartisan judiciary in maintaining the rule of law. Justice Bales breaks down how Arizona’s merit selection system works and provides a roadm...

This week, we're digging into the essential services that impact your daily life—starting with how your trash gets picked up!  As part of our ongoing effort to connect voters with the local government they interact with the most, this episode features the City of Tucson's trash and recycling services.  Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission talk with Carlos DeLaTo...

What you need to know as the 2026 election cycle kicks off. Tom and Gina break down the latest from the Arizona State Capitol, including a look at the 2026 legislative session. From the potential shift of the Arizona Primary date, Proposition 123 and education funding to the massive effort to get 4,000+ students involved in local civics, this episode is your nonpartisan guide to staying informed....

Tom and Gina break down the most impactful Arizona election results and policy of 2025. They revisit the year’s key themes, from education funding to Gen Z participation. Revisit clips from expert guests as we analyze how Arizona adapted to the year's challenges and what these developments mean for Arizona political history. Empower your vote and stay informed. Access nonpartisan voter guides, che...

On December 2nd, the Commission filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Adrian Fontes over the former No Labels Party's change of name to the Arizona Independent Party. It’s a good time to revisit what it means to be an independent in Arizona.  Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission sit down with Dr. Thom Reilly, Co-Director of the Center for an Independent and...

In the general election earlier this month, many Arizona voters decided on ballot items impacting public schools. But how does that process actually fund buildings and operations? This episode breaks down the complex system of Arizona school finance. Hosts Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission talk to Glenn Farley from the Common Sense Institute about hi...

Data guru Garrett Archer joins us to unpack the numbers behind Arizona's shift to a swing state, explaining how changing voter coalitions, the independent voters (unaffiliated voters), and people moving to the state are reshaping our electoral landscape.  We break down the key data points that define Arizona's unique political mix and more.  For official, nonpartisan information on voting in Arizo...

This episode explores how voters influence schools, the current state of education, and how our education system prepares the next generation for the workforce opportunities coming to the state. Hosts Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission talk to Dr. Quintin Boyce, the Associate Vice President of Outreach at Arizona State University, about the link betwe...

Am I going to get social security? What is the federal debt? What is the federal deficit? We’ve got answers.  Hosts Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission brought on Dr. Jose Jurado, a senior research economist at ASU, to talk about personal and federal financial health, the role of tax cuts, and the sustainability of social security. Guest: Jose Jurado,...

Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission talk with Elvia Díaz, now an independent journalist, about lessons from her career in journalism, how to best serve hispanic voters, and trust in today’s media. Guest: Elvia Díaz NOTAS con Elvia Díaz - Podcast Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Election integrity, accuracy of vote count, and security of mail-in-voting. These are things we know voters care about, but who actually makes those things happen? Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission talk with Sara Rinfret, a Professor from Northern Arizona University, about the role of election officials. Get an inside look at how future election administrator...

We’re talking about how young people are leaning into politics through local engagement, voting, and running for office.  Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission talk with Nivea Krishnan, a Senior Advisor for New Voters, about political polarization, civic identity, how Gen Z is approaching politics, and more.  Plus learn how parents, high school students, college...

In this special edition show for National Voter Registration Day, we’re talking about how to get registered to vote and the issues that can impact your registration.  Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission talk with Commissioner Ben Hovland who serves on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission after being unanimously confirmed by the US Senate in 2019. Guest: Comm...

Redistricting continued. Picking up from part one, we’re covering the national landscape of redistricting and how recent Supreme Court decisions have shifted the enforcement of anti-gerrymandering laws. Plus how redistricting affects Arizona voters, especially in primary elections, why competitive districts matter, and more.  Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission...

Today we’re talking about how redistricting works in Arizona and what it means to have an independent redistricting commission. Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission talk with Justin Levitt, a professor of law at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, known for his extensive work in redistricting. Guest: Justin Levitt CCEC redistricting explainer All about redistricti...

Curious about the future of third party politics in Arizona? This episode is for you.  Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission sit down with Dr. Thom Reilly, Co-Director of the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at ASU, and author of 'The Independent Voter,' to learn more about the two party system, what it takes to run on a third party ticket, and...