Explore civics in Arizona
What Happens to Your Ballot After It’s Cast?
Ever wonder what happens to your ballot after casting it in an election? In this episode, we go behind the curtain to explore how votes are processed and counted, leading to the eventual certification of election results.
What is the political makeup of Arizona voters?
When it comes to politics, Arizona is known for not following the crowd. So it’s not a surprise that a large portion of Grand Canyon State voters fall into the independent category. On this episode of “Voter Ed,” we examine the political makeup of Arizona.
Take the ‘Voter Ed’ election-ready challenge
We asked these two Arizona State University students to play our “Election Jenga” and test their knowledge of election procedure in Arizona. See how they did, then check back next Friday to see another group play “Election Jenga,” and test yourself again!
Why Vote (And How To Do It)?
Sometimes, we want change in our government. Sometimes, we prefer to keep things as they are. Voting is how we express those opinions, and it’s a key part of our democracy. In this episode, learn about the voter registration process in Arizona, as well as the importance of staying informed and participating in the democratic process.
How Does a Two-Party System Work?
Political parties are not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, and the creation of them was discouraged by the framers of that document. So, why does it seem voters in the U.S. have basically two choices when it comes to candidates, issues, and policies? In this episode, learn how the two-party system works and explore its history.
About ‘Voter Ed’
Arizona PBS and Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) are proud to present “Voter Ed,” a five-episode digital-first series giving viewers a crash course in civics. Aimed at educating voters ahead of the general election, each episode explores a different component of the civics process in Arizona.
Narrated by “Arizona Horizon” host and managing editor Ted Simons, the five episodes of “Voter Ed” will each explore a different component of the civics process in Arizona.
The episodes can be streamed on our website, on our Arizona PBS Facebook page or on our AZPBS Now YouTube channel.
Join us for the next episode of “Voter Ed!” New episodes will be released the last Friday of each month from June through November.
A timely partnership
Ahead of the general election taking place this fall, Arizona PBS and Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) established a partnership aimed at educating voters and ensuring citizens across the state are able to make informed decisions as ballots are cast statewide.
CFA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization bringing Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. CFA listens to Arizonans to learn what matters most to them, shares trusted data about how Arizona is doing in those priority areas, brings critical issues to public attention and works with communities and leaders to solve public problems.
For Arizona PBS, this partnership aligns with our “AZ Votes 2024” initiative, which seeks to keep Arizona voters informed throughout this important election year.
Along with the five-episodes in the “Voter Ed” series, we’re also presenting seven issue-focused packages to air on “Arizona Horizon” as the election draws near.
For CFA, this partnership comes one month after the organization released The Arizona Voters Agenda 2024 Report, which identifies the issues voters agree on across political and generational lines to inform election discourse.
CFA develops the Arizona Voters’ Agenda every election cycle from survey research of Republican, Democratic and independent/ unaffiliated voters of all ages. The Voters’ Agenda only includes what a majority of likely voters across all political affiliations and age groups say are the critical issues facing the state and want candidates to address as they compete for their votes.
CFA offers a number of informational resources, including the latest Gallup Arizona Survey, which found Arizonans have much in common, agree on more than we disagree and share a set of seven core public values: education; health and well-being; jobs and economic opportunity; environment and sustainable future; civic engagement and leadership; fair, just, and equitable systems; and immigration reform.
Download CFA’s Gallup Arizona Survey: Report I Findings Summary.
Each of those seven core public values will be a focus of one of the aforementioned “Arizona Horizon” packages. More details to come!
Watch “Arizona Horizon” weeknights at 5 p.m. on air, on our Arizona PBS Facebook page, on our AZPBS Now YouTube channel or catch full episodes online later on the PBS app.
