Yuma seeks arguments on ballot propositions for fall election pamphlet

The City of Yuma is taking arguments for and against Propositions 436 and 437 for the official publicity pamphlet. The filing window runs from June 24 through 5 p.m. July 10, and each submission requires a $50 fee. Arguments must meet sworn-statement, signature and identification rules and may not exceed 300 words.

Proposition 436 would authorize a permanent $30 million adjustment to Yuma’s 1979-80 expenditure base, the figure used to calculate the city’s annual expenditure limitation. The measure would not raise taxes, create new fees or generate new revenue. Instead, it would let Yuma spend money it already lawfully receives to maintain existing and planned services, programs and infrastructure. If voters reject it, the current spending cap stays in place.

For fiscal year 2026, Yuma’s total budget was about $547 million, while its state-set expenditure limitation was about $175 million.

Proposition 437 would amend Article IV, Section 6 of the city charter and change how future candidates qualify for the ballot. Right now, nomination-petition signatures are calculated using the number of valid ballots cast in the preceding general municipal election. The proposed change would use the preceding primary municipal election instead.

Yuma’s 2026 election calendar adds to the immediate interest. The city will hold a primary election on July 21, 2026, and a general/special election on November 3, 2026. The ballot will include races for mayor, three city council seats and presiding municipal judge, and city elections are nonpartisan, with party affiliations not listed on the ballot. For the 2026 primary, nomination petitions required at least 998 and no more than 1,664 valid signatures from qualified City of Yuma electors.

The publicity pamphlet will be mailed to households of registered voters in Yuma before early voting begins, and statewide pamphlets are mailed in September and October to Arizona households with registered voters.