Arizona ballot measure · November 3, 2026
Arizona Proposition 317, explained
Declare drug cartels terrorist organizations. 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
DECLARES THAT DRUG CARTELS ARE TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS; DIRECTS THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO DO EVERYTHING IN ITS AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS DRUG CARTELS. A "yes" vote shall have the effect of: (1) declaring drug cartels as terrorist organizations and directing the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to do everything in its authority to address threats posed by drug cartels; (2) defining "drug cartel" to mean an ongoing formal or informal association of persons engaged in human smuggling, drug trafficking, or any act defined as terrorism under Arizona law; and (3) clarifying that this measure does not support an alien's asylum claim. A "no" vote shall have the effect of maintaining the current laws relating to terrorism and the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.
This is what appears on the ballot. Everything below explains it.
What it actually means
Declares in state law that drug cartels, defined as groups engaged in human smuggling, drug trafficking or terrorism, are terrorist organizations, and directs the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to use all lawful means within its authority against them. It states the measure does not support anyone's asylum claim.
If you vote YES
- State law would declare drug cartels to be terrorist organizations, defining a cartel as any ongoing formal or informal association engaged in human smuggling, drug trafficking or acts defined as terrorism under Arizona law.
- The Arizona Department of Homeland Security would be required to use all lawful means within its authority to address threats posed by cartels.
- The law would state that the designation does not support an alien's claim for asylum under federal law.
If you vote NO
- Current state laws on terrorism and the Arizona Department of Homeland Security would remain unchanged.
- Cartel-related crimes would continue to be prosecuted under existing drug, smuggling and terrorism laws.
The numbers that matter
- Vote needed
- Simple majority
- Fiscal estimate
- None published
Arizona Secretary of State official ballot language
No official cost estimate located
Why supporters say YES
Cartels operating along Arizona's border act as terrorist organizations; the measure requires the state's homeland security department to do everything within its authority to fight them, regardless of partisan politics or who leads the department.
— Official argument for, by George Khalaf of Scottsdale
Why opponents say NO
The measure is symbolic legislation that accomplishes nothing new; the Governor vetoed a similar bill, and it only lengthens the ballot.
— Official argument against, by Timothy Everhard, Director, Arizonans for Freedom
What’s genuinely uncertain
- What the department would do differently is not specified, and the Legislative Council analysis does not identify new powers, penalties or funding.
- Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a similar bill, House Bill 2675, in 2023; referring it to voters avoids a veto, according to Ballotpedia.
- Only one argument was filed on each side, and no organized campaign committees were identified.
The bottom line
A formal state declaration and mandate to confront cartels, against a measure opponents say adds no real new tools.
One neutral sentence describing the tradeoff — not a recommendation.
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.
Other measures on the Arizona ballot
- Proposition 141 — Ban on vehicle mileage taxes and tracking
- Proposition 142 — Expanded ban on race-based preferences and DEI requirements
- Proposition 144 — Government ID for all voters and other election changes
- Proposition 316 — Limits on city taxes on groceries
- Proposition 318 — School sports and locker rooms by sex at birth
- Proposition 319 — Limits on traffic photo enforcement cameras
- Proposition 320 — Minimum instructional spending for large school districts
Candidates on the same ballot
- Arizona governor's race
- Arizona's 1st congressional district
- Arizona's 2nd congressional district
- Arizona's 3rd congressional district
- Arizona's 4th congressional district
- Arizona's 5th congressional district
- Arizona's 6th congressional district
- Arizona's 7th congressional district