Image: A U.S. Border Patrol agent stands on a cliff looking for migrants that crossed the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico near Sasabe, Ariz. A Border Patrol agent was struck by a vehicle near Tucson on Tuesday. (Salwan Georges / The Washington Post via Getty Images / File)
By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies
PHOENIX – A new nonpartisan poll reveals that a majority of Arizona voters support a measure aimed at reforming the state’s immigration and border enforcement laws, while other proposed measures have left voters divided.
The poll, conducted by Noble Predictive Insights (NPI) between August 12 and 16, surveyed 1,003 registered Arizona voters. It found that nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) expressed support for Proposition 314, also known as the Immigration and Border Law Enforcement Measure. By contrast, voters were split on Proposition 135, which seeks to limit executive emergency powers, and Proposition 137, which proposes eliminating judicial term limits.
Broad Support for Immigration Reform
According to the NPI poll, 63% of voters said they would support Prop 314, which would strengthen immigration enforcement and hold drug dealers accountable for fentanyl-related deaths. Only 16% said they would not support the measure, while 6% stated they would abstain from voting, and another 16% were unsure.
The measure garnered significant bipartisan backing, with 77% of Republicans and 81% of Trump-first Republicans in favor of it. Additionally, liberal-leaning groups such as 58% of college graduates, 56% of Hispanics, and 52% of Democrats also voiced their support.
Two key elements of Prop 314 received overwhelming approval:
- 77% of voters supported holding drug dealers responsible for the death of a person who consumes fentanyl.
- 75% of voters supported requiring employers to verify the immigration status of workers.
NPI Founder and CEO Mike Noble noted that Prop 314’s wide appeal across party lines would make it difficult for opponents to sway public opinion before Election Day. “Prop 314 is popular across the board,” Noble said. “It’s a tough trend to disrupt with only a few months until the vote.”
Voter Uncertainty on Other Measures
Support for Prop 314 did not carry over to other ballot measures. Voters are divided on Proposition 135, which would give the state legislature the power to modify or terminate emergency powers held by the governor during a state of emergency. The measure also stipulates that any state of emergency must automatically end after 30 days unless it is due to war, floods, or fires.
Around one-third of respondents expressed support, opposition, or uncertainty about Prop 135, with voters’ stances largely following party lines. Conservative voters, still mindful of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, generally favored the measure, while others remained skeptical.
“Many conservatives haven’t forgotten the COVID restrictions,” said NPI Chief of Research David Byler. “The memories of lockdowns, along with a Democrat in the governor’s office, explain the partisan divide on this issue.”
Proposition 137, which proposes replacing judicial term limits with terms of good behavior for Supreme Court and Superior Court justices, also faced voter hesitancy. Only 31% of respondents supported the measure, while 38% opposed it. 8% of voters said they would abstain, and 25% were unsure of how they would vote.
NPI’s Mike Noble emphasized that the large number of undecided voters on Props 135 and 137 could be pivotal in determining the outcomes of these measures. “The undecided voters will ultimately determine the fate of these propositions in November,” Noble said.
As Election Day approaches, Arizona voters will continue to weigh these issues, with immigration reform proving to be the most popular measure on the ballot.