Arizona ballot measure · November 3, 2026

Arizona Proposition 142, explained

Expanded ban on race-based preferences and DEI requirements. A ballot measure is a yes-or-no question put directly to voters — no candidate is involved, and the wording on the ballot is the wording that becomes law. This page shows that wording first, then what it actually changes.

The official wording

ADDS FURTHER DETAILS TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROHIBITION AGAINST PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT OR DISCRIMINATION BY THE STATE BASED ON RACE, ETHNICITY, OR OTHER CLASSES. A "yes" vote shall have the effect of amending the Arizona Constitution's current prohibition against preferential treatment or discrimination by the state based on race, ethnicity, or other classes, to specifically prohibit: (1) compelling individuals to support preferential treatment or discrimination based on race or ethnicity as a condition of education, employment, or contract opportunities; (2) spending public money on positions in public education responsible for promoting preferential treatment or discrimination based on race or ethnicity; and (3) implementing disciplinary practices that treat students or employees differently based on race or ethnicity. Prohibited conduct includes requiring or asking an applicant, employee, student, or contractor to provide a statement in support of race-based diversity, equity, and inclusion beyond upholding the federal Equal Protection Clause or asking such a person to discuss the person's race or ethnicity or experience with others' race or ethnicity. The amendment contains certain exceptions for health services, legal, and other reasons. A "no" vote shall have the effect of maintaining the current prohibition in the Arizona Constitution against preferential treatment or discrimination by the state based on race, ethnicity, or other classes.

This is what appears on the ballot. Everything below explains it.

What it actually means

Arizona's Constitution already bars the state from granting preferential treatment or discriminating based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. This amendment adds specific prohibitions aimed at diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) requirements, such as diversity statements and DEI offices at public schools and universities, and removes the existing exception for federal programs.

If you vote YES

The state, local governments, public universities, community colleges and school districts could not grant preferences or discriminate by race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in employment, education or contracting, even as part of a federal program.
They could not require or ask applicants, employees, students or contractors to submit statements supporting race-based DEI concepts, confess privilege, or discuss their race or others' race, or require DEI trainings or courses that promote those tenets.
Public money could not fund offices or positions at public educational institutions responsible for promoting race-based preferences, or programs designed with reference to race, ethnicity, intersectionality, gender identity or sexual orientation, subject to listed exceptions such as health services and legal requirements.
Disciplinary policies treating students or employees differently by race or ethnicity would be banned.

If you vote NO

The existing constitutional ban on preferential treatment and discrimination in Article II, Section 36 would remain, without the new provision applying it even to federal programs.
Decisions about diversity statements, DEI offices and related trainings would continue to be governed by existing law, institutional policy and federal requirements.

The numbers that matter

Vote needed: Simple majority
Fiscal estimate: None published

Why supporters say YES

The measure closes a loophole that has allowed race-based preferences in hiring, education and contracting when the federal government calls for it, making equal treatment permanent regardless of who holds power in Washington.
— Official argument for, by Victor Riches, President and CEO, The Goldwater Institute
Contracts should be awarded on performance and hiring done on merit, and students should not have to fund or take part in racialized programming; the measure targets the practice, so it cannot be avoided by renaming programs.
— Official argument for, by Scot Mussi, President, Arizona Free Enterprise Club

Why opponents say NO

The measure violates the First Amendment by prohibiting certain ideas and viewpoints from being discussed in colleges and government workplaces, and would punish students and teachers for their beliefs.
— Official argument against, by Darrell Hill, Director of Policy, ACLU of Arizona
The Constitution already prohibits preferential treatment; the measure's broad, imprecise wording, including a ban on any related practice or concept, would block teaching accurate history and using race and ethnicity data needed in research and medicine.
— Official argument against, by Melinda Iyer and Catherine Sigmon, Co-Directors, Civic Engagement Beyond Voting

What’s genuinely uncertain

Which existing university and school programs would have to end depends on how the listed exceptions and terms are interpreted by institutions and courts.
Opponents' First Amendment objections would likely be tested in court if the measure passes.
Arizona State University is the subject of a U.S. Department of Justice investigation and an Arizona Supreme Court case over DEI practices, according to supporters' arguments.

The bottom line

A stricter constitutional rule against race-conscious programs and DEI requirements, against limits on campus programs and speech that opponents say go beyond the existing ban.

One neutral sentence describing the tradeoff — not a recommendation.

Sources:azsos.gov apps.azsos.gov apps.azsos.gov azleg.gov

Checking it against the official text

The Arizona Secretary of State publishes the certified measures and, in most states, an official voter guide with fiscal notes. That is the authoritative version. Everything here is an explanation of it, not a substitute for it.

Confirm this with the official source

Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Arizona Secretary of State.

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