Arizona Voters Want More Done to Develop Arizona's Own Talent and Help People Build Their Futures Here
New Arizona Voters' Agenda findings point to a broader workforce agenda spanning education and career pathways, affordability, housing, and childcare
PHOENIX, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New statewide, nonpartisan public opinion research from Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) shows that Arizona voters across political affiliations and age groups want more done to develop the skills and talents of the state's own students and workers.
The latest findings from the 2026 Arizona Voters' Agenda reveal strong support for education and training opportunities that lead to good careers and expanding access to affordable childcare. The majority of voters also say it is difficult to improve their financial circumstances, citing wages that do not keep pace with living costs and high housing costs as the leading barriers to getting ahead. The findings point to broad agreement on the need for developing and retaining Arizona's talent that includes both pathways to opportunity and the conditions that allow people to pursue them and build their lives here.
"Arizona's future will be shaped by whether Arizonans are supported and equipped to develop their potential and see a future for themselves here," said Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of CFA. "These findings give us a fuller picture of what it is that Arizonans are looking for in building their lives here and what it will take for them to be successful. The more success Arizonans enjoy the better off we will be as a state. Our leaders need to embrace that and act on it.
Voters See Arizona's Own Students and Workers as Central to Economic Success
Nine in ten voters (91%) agree that "Arizona's long-term economic success depends on doing more to develop the skills and talents of its own students and workers, not just attracting skilled workers from other states." Sixty-nine percent strongly agree. The agreement includes 90% of Republicans, 92% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 93% of Democrats, and all age groups.
Voters overwhelmingly support specific actions to develop that talent. Across political affiliations and generations, they agree on:
- Increasing access to affordable, high-quality early learning for three- and four-year-olds
- Expanding career exploration before graduation, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning
- Increasing the number who pursue and complete education or training beyond high school
SOURCE Center for the Future of Arizona
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