2020 Arizona elections

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Elections were held in the U.S. state of Arizona on November 3, 2020, as part of the 2020 General Election. Arizona voters chose 11 electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote. Three seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission were up for election, as were all nine of Arizona seats in the United States House of Representatives, and one of its seats in the United States Senate. Primary elections were held in August 2020. Paper ballots for voting by mail were sent to all registered voters in the state.[1]

Federal offices

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U.S. President

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Main article: 2020 United States presidential election in Arizona

Arizona was represented by 11 electors in the electoral college. Joe Biden won the state with 49.36% of the popular vote, defeating incumbent President Donald Trump by less than 11,000 votes. This was the first time a Democratic presidential candidate won Arizona since Bill Clinton in 1996 and only the second time since Harry Truman in 1948.[2]

U.S. Senate

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Main article: 2020 United States Senate special election in Arizona

A special election was held due to the death of Republican senator and presidential candidate John McCain.

Former U.S. senator Jon Kyl was originally appointed to the seat, but resigned on December 31, 2018. Outgoing U.S. Representative Martha McSally was appointed to fill the seat following Kyl's resignation.[3]

Democrat Mark Kelly defeated McSally, winning 51% of the vote.

U.S. House of Representatives

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Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona

All nine of Arizona's seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2020. Before the election, Republicans held four seats and Democrats five. No districts changed hands, and thus Democrats maintained control.

State offices

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Corporation Commission

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2020 Arizona Corporation Commission election
← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →
3 seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Candidate Anna Tovar Lea Márquez Peterson James O'Connor
Party Democratic Republican Republican
Popular vote 1,450,194 1,449,963 1,434,236
Percentage 17.524% 17.521% 17.33%
  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
 
Candidate Eric Sloan Bill Mundell Shea Stanfield
Party Republican Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 1,379,804 1,295,836 1,264,909
Percentage 16.67% 15.66% 15.28%
Commissioners before election

Bob Burns (R)
Andy Tobin (R)
Boyd Dunn (R)

 Elected Commissioners

Anna Tovar (D)
Lea Márquez
Peterson (R)
James O'Connor (R)

Three seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission were up for election. Republican Bob Burns was term-limited and therefore ineligible to run for re-election to a third term in office.[4]

Republican primary

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Candidates
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Not on the ballot

  • Avery Block
  • Neil DeSanti
  • Boyd Dunn, incumbent, removed for insufficient signatures[7]
  • Dave Farnsworth, state senator, dropped out[8]
  • Nick Myers, legislative candidate in 2018
  • Kim Owens, public relations executive, removed for insufficient signatures[9]
  • Patrick Tucker

Democratic primary

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Candidates
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Not on the ballot

General election

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Polling
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Each voter selected up to three candidates in the state Corporation Commission general election, with the top three vote-getters winning the seats. Consequently, poll results in the table immediately below are displayed as the accumulation of a candidate's first, second and third preferences, and therefore total 300%, instead of 100%. Where a given percentage of voters are not decided with respect to multiple choices, that percentage is multiplied by the number of choices for which they are undecided (so, for instance, if 1% of voters had not picked any candidate, they would be listed in the table below as 3% of the total vote).

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Anna
Tovar (D) 		Lea Márquez
Peterson (R) 		Bill
Mundell (D) 		Shea
Stanfield (D) 		James
O'Connor (R) 		Eric
Sloan (R) 		Undecided
Patinkin Research Strategies/Arizona Research Consortium (D)[10] October 21–24, 2020 729 (LV) ± 3.6% 37% 31% 25% 24% 21% 20% 69%
Patinkin Research Strategies/Arizona Research Consortium (D)[11] October 1–3, 2020 604 (LV) ± 3.8% 32% 30% 29% 28% 31% 31% 96%
Patinkin Research Strategies/Arizona Research Consortium (D)[12] September 10–13, 2020 679 (LV) ± 3.8% 28% 26% 27% 26% 29% 27% 120%
Results
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Arizona Corporation Commission election, 2020[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anna Tovar 1,450,194 17.52%
Republican Lea Márquez Peterson (incumbent) 1,449,963 17.52%
Republican James O'Connor 1,434,236 17.33%
Republican Eric Sloan 1,379,804 16.67%
Democratic Bill Mundell 1,295,836 15.66%
Democratic Shea Stanfield 1,264,909 15.29%
Independent Christina Gibson (write-in) 411 0.01%
Republican Patrick Finerd (write-in) 232 0.00%
Total votes 8,275,585 100%
Democratic gain from Republican
Republican hold
Republican hold

State legislature

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Main articles: 2020 Arizona Senate election and 2020 Arizona House of Representatives election

All 90 seats in both chambers of the Arizona State Legislature were up for election in 2020. Democrats gained a seat in the state senate.

Supreme Court

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Three justices on the Arizona Supreme Court were up for retention in 2020.[14]

Justice Brutinel retention

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Results by county
Yes:
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%

Robert M. Brutinel was appointed by Governor Jan Brewer in 2010 to succeed retiring justice Michael D. Ryan.[15] He was retained by the voters in 2014.[16]

Justice Brutinel retention, 2020
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,865,552 75.13
No 617,429 24.87
Total votes 2,482,981 100.00
Source: Arizona Secretary of State[13]

Justice Gould retention

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Results by county
Yes:
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%

Andrew Gould was appointed by Governor Doug Ducey in 2016 to a newly established seat on the Arizona Supreme Court after it was expanded to seven justices.[17]

Justice Gould retention, 2020
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,683,460 68.06
No 790,095 31.94
Total votes 2,473,555 100.00
Source: Arizona Secretary of State[13]

Justice Lopez retention

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Results by county
Yes:
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%

John Lopez IV was appointed by Governor Doug Ducey in 2016 to a newly established seat on the Arizona Supreme Court after it was expanded to seven justices.[17]

Justice Lopez retention, 2020
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,806,530 72.65
No 679,989 27.35
Total votes 2,486,519 100.00
Source: Arizona Secretary of State[13]

Ballot initiatives

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See also: List of Arizona ballot propositions

Two initiatives were approved for the general election ballot.[18][19]

Proposition 207

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Main article: 2020 Arizona Proposition 207

Proposition 207, the Smart and Safe Arizona Act, is to legalize and tax cannabis for adult use.

Polling

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Likely voters polled in July 2020 indicated 62% support for cannabis legalization.[20]

On Proposition 207

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		For Proposition 207 Against Proposition 207 Other Undecided
OH Predictive Insights[21] October 22–25, 2020 716 (LV) ± 3.7% 60% 36% 0%[b] 4%
Monmouth University[22] October 11–13, 2020 502 (RV) ± 4.4% 56% 36% 0%[c] 7%
OH Predictive Insights[23] October 4–8, 2020 608 (LV) ± 4.0% 55% 37% 1%[d] 7%
Suffolk University[24] September 26–30, 2020 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 46% 34% 1%[e] 19%
Strategies 360/Smart and Safe Arizona[25][A] September 24–29, 2020 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 57% 38% – 5%
Monmouth University[26] September 11–15, 2020 420 (RV) ± 4.8% 51% 41% 3%[f] 6%
Strategies 360/Smart and Safe Arizona[25] [1][B] Early August, 2020 – (V)[g] – 57% 37% – 6%
HighGround Inc.[27] May 18–22, 2020 400 (LV) ± 4.9% 66% 25% – 9%[h]

On whether recreational marijuana should be legal

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Yes No Other Undecided
OH Predictive Insights[28] September 8–10, 2020 600 (LV) ± 4% 45% 44% 0%[i] 9%
OH Predictive Insights[29] July 6–7, 2020 600 (LV) ± 4% 62% 32% No voters[j] 6%
OH Predictive Insights[30] December 3–4, 2019 628 (LV) ± 3.9% 51% 42% – 7%
OH Predictive Insights[31] October 31 – November 8, 2019 900 (RV) ± 3.3% 54% 33% – 13%
OH Predictive Insights[32] August 13–14, 2019 600 (LV) ± 4% 50% 40% – 10%
OH Predictive Insights[33] February 12–13, 2019 600 (LV) ± 4% 52% 41% – 7%

Proposition 208

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Proposition 208, the Invest in Education Act, is to impose a 3.5% income tax surcharge on high earners and invest the revenue generated in education.[34][35]

Polling

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Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		For Proposition 208 Against Proposition 208 Other Undecided
Patinkin Research Strategies[36] October 21–24, 2020 729 (LV) ± 3.6% 55% 40% – 5%
Monmouth University[37] October 11–13, 2020 502 (RV) ± 4.4% 60% 34% 1%[k] 5%
OH Predictive Insights[38] October 4–8, 2020 608 (LV) ± 4.0% 55% 39% 0%[l] 6%
Data Orbital[39] October 3–5, 2020 550 (LV) ± 4.2% 51% 37% – 12%
HighGround Inc.[40] September 28 – October 5, 2020 400 (LV) ± 4.9% 56% 38% – 6%[m]
Patinkin Research Strategies[41] October 1–3, 2020 604 (LV) ± 3.8% 55% 37% – 9%
Suffolk University/USA Today[42] September 26–30, 2020 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 47% 37% 1%[n] 15%
Monmouth University[43] September 11–15, 2020 420 (RV) ± 4.8% 66% 21% 1%[o] 7%

Results

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Results by county
Yes:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Proposition 208
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,675,810 51.75
No 1,562,639 48.25
Total votes 3,238,449 100.00
Source: Arizona Secretary of State[13]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ^ "Refused" with 0%
  3. ^ Would not vote with 0%
  4. ^ "Refused" with 1%
  5. ^ "Refused" with 1%
  6. ^ Would not vote with 3%
  7. ^ Not yet released
  8. ^ Includes "Refused"
  9. ^ "Refused" with 0%
  10. ^ "Refused" with no voters
  11. ^ Would not vote with 1%
  12. ^ "Refused" with 0%
  13. ^ Includes "Refused"
  14. ^ "Refused" with 1%
  15. ^ Would not vote with 1%

Partisan clients

  1. ^ Smart and Safe Arizona endorsed Proposition 207 prior to this poll's sampling period
  2. ^ Smart and Safe Arizona endorsed Proposition 207 prior to this poll's sampling period

References

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  1. ^ Lily Hay Newman (August 27, 2020), "How to Vote by Mail and Make Sure It Counts", Wired.com, archived from the original on October 6, 2020
  2. ^ Collins, Keith; Fessenden, Ford; Gamio, Lazaro; Harris, Rich; Keefe, John; Lu, Denise; Lutz, Elanor; Schoenfeld Walker, Amy; Watkins, Derek; Yourish, Karen (November 10, 2020). "Phoenix's Blue Wave Pushes Arizona Toward Biden". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  3. ^ Sanchez, Yvonne Wingett; Hansen, Ronald J. (December 18, 2018). "Martha McSally will be appointed to John McCain's Senate seat". Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  4. ^ Rosenblatt, Dillon (July 2, 2019). "Ties run deep, many between APS and Republican candidates for utility regulator | Arizona Capitol Times".
  5. ^ "GOP write-in candidates face steep challenges in Corp Comm campaign". May 19, 2020.
  6. ^ Randazzo, Ryan. "Successful write-in candidate for Corporation Commission gives Republicans a full slate for November". The Arizona Republic.
  7. ^ Oxford, Andrew. "Judge removes Boyd Dunn from Arizona Corporation Commission ballot over forged signatures". The Arizona Republic.
  8. ^ Services, Howard Fischer Capitol Media. "2 Republican candidates lose bids to qualify for Arizona Corp Comm ballot". Arizona Daily Star.
  9. ^ Oxford, Andrew. "Arizona Corporation Commission candidate Kim Owens bumped from ballot". The Arizona Republic.
  10. ^ Patinkin Research Strategies/Arizona Research Consortium (D)
  11. ^ Patinkin Research Strategies/Arizona Research Consortium (D)
  12. ^ Patinkin Research Strategies/Arizona Research Consortium (D)
  13. ^ a b c d e "State of Arizona - Official Canvass - 2020 General Election" (PDF). Arizona Secretary of State. November 30, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  14. ^ "Arizona Supreme Court elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  15. ^ Fischer, Howard (November 22, 2010). "Brewer names Yavapai County trial judge to state Supreme Court". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  16. ^ McNamara, Patrick (November 5, 2014). "Voters approve retention of all judges". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  17. ^ a b Kiefer, Michael; Wingett Sanchez, Yvonne (November 28, 2016). "Gov. Doug Ducey appoints two Arizona Supreme Court justices". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  18. ^ "Proposition 207 – Sample Ballot/Ballot Format" (PDF). Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  19. ^ "Arizona 2020 ballot measures". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  20. ^ Michael Lucie (July 21, 2020), Support for marijuana legalization jumps among voters in Arizona poll, Glendale, Arizona: KTAR-FM
  21. ^ OH Predictive Insights
  22. ^ Monmouth University
  23. ^ OH Predictive Insights
  24. ^ Suffolk University
  25. ^ a b Strategies 360/Smart and Safe Arizona
  26. ^ Monmouth University
  27. ^ HighGround Inc.
  28. ^ OH Predictive Insights[dead link]
  29. ^ OH Predictive Insights[dead link]
  30. ^ OH Predictive Insights[dead link]
  31. ^ OH Predictive Insights[dead link]
  32. ^ OH Predictive Insights
  33. ^ OH Predictive Insights
  34. ^ "Arizona: Dems Ahead for Prez, Senate". Monmouth University. September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  35. ^ "Arizona Proposition 208, Tax on Incomes Exceeding $250,000 for Teacher Salaries and Schools Initiative (2020)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  36. ^ Patinkin Research Strategies
  37. ^ Monmouth University
  38. ^ OH Predictive Insights
  39. ^ Data Orbital
  40. ^ HighGround Inc.
  41. ^ Patinkin Research Strategies
  42. ^ Suffolk University/USA Today
  43. ^ Monmouth University
  44. ^ "Covered Areas for Voting Rights Bilingual Election Materials—2015", Voting Rights Act Amendments of 2006, Determinations Under Section 203, Federal Register, retrieved October 13, 2020, A Notice by the Census Bureau on 12/05/2016

Further reading

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Official campaign websites for Corporation Commission