New poll results show 80% of likely Arizona voters believe American democracy is under threat.

The new survey from the Center for the Future of Arizona found just as many believe their vote could improve democracy.

Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., said with fewer than 50 days until Election Day, there are important issues on the ballot for Arizonans across the political spectrum and it isn't too late to take action.

"I want people finding candidates and causes they believe in, and get out and work on those campaigns," Stanton urged. "Become a volunteer, knock on doors, make calls, become a 'super voter,' if you will."

Stanton's challenger this year is Republican Kelly Cooper, who also ran against him in 2022. Voters in the Grand Canyon State will weigh in, not only on candidates at the national, state and local levels but will decide on more than a dozen statewide propositions. Check your voter registration status online at My.Arizona.Vote.

Stanton acknowledged there are bad actors out there who may want to drive down voter turnout but encouraged Arizonans to remain resilient. The last day to register to vote in order to participate in the Nov. 5 General Election is Oct. 7, a date he wants younger voters to pay close attention to.

"Maybe you're at Arizona State University, which is in my district, you come from another location, register to vote here," Stanton suggested. "We want you to participate in this election, and to have your voice heard for what's going on, not just in education issues but all of the variety of issues that affect your future."

Stanton contended across the country, younger voters need to participate at higher levels and calls it "good for democracy." A recent poll from Florida Atlantic University found 55% of people ages 18-34 said they're "dissatisfied" with their lives. Stanton hopes their dissatisfaction fuels greater turnout among young voters who want change.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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As Michigan voters prepare for the upcoming presidential election, state officials are urging them not to lose sight of vital local races, especially school boards in rural communities.

Down-ballot candidates play a crucial role in shaping the future of education and the overall direction of their communities. Statistics reveal rural Michigan school board elections are usually uncontested, with incumbents winning more than 80% of the time.

Trina Tocco, director of the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, said there are a number of competitive school board elections across the entire state.

"Maybe there's two seats and there might be three people running, or maybe there's a couple of full-term seats and then there's some partial-term seats," Tocco outlined. "Similarly to what we've seen with schoolteachers, which there's a lot of turnover."

Tocco pointed out voters can learn more about candidates by attending forums. A map of forum locations, provided by the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, helps residents find events in their local districts.

Candidate information is also available through Michigan Voter Information Center, which provides sample ballots, and the Michigan chapter of the League of Women Voters which offers voter guides.

Tocco noted her organization has collected candidate questionnaire responses, shedding light on how the hopefuls plan to tackle critical issues, such as how money is allocated within a district.

"We have actually requested all candidates across the state to go to our website and they complete a form," Tocco explained. "They tell us, what do they think about what's important around curriculum, around racial equity in our schools, mental health in our schools."

Tocco encouraged voters to tap into their local networks for insights on candidates. She added the best information sometimes comes from neighbors and fellow voters who know who is running and what they stand for.


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Voters next month will be shaping how future elections operate in many states, including South Dakota, where nonpartisan primaries are on the ballot.

Constitutional Amendment H would shift primaries in South Dakota to an open, "top two system." Every voter would get a single primary ballot listing all candidates and the two in each race with the most votes move on.

Currently, political parties decide which registered voters can participate in their primaries. The Democratic Party now allows registered Democrats, Independents and unaffiliated voters to do so. Republicans have a "closed" primary, for registered party members only.

Joe Kirby, chairman of the group South Dakota Open Primaries, said changing the system would increase participation.

"Candidates would change their messaging so they would appeal to all voters in the state," Kirby explained. "Instead of, as they currently do, appealing to the partisan few that show up for our primary elections."

Only 17% of registered voters in South Dakota cast ballots in this year's primaries, according to the Secretary of State. Kirby pointed out under the current system, more than 150,000 voters are left out.

A similar measure to create a nonpartisan primary was defeated by South Dakota voters in 2016. Kirby noted opponents include what he calls "party bosses" on both sides of the aisle because the new system, he acknowledged, would give more power to voters.

"Our job this election cycle is to get out the word about what it is and how it would work," Kirby emphasized. "Because if people understand it, they tend to like it."

South Dakota is one of several states where voters will be deciding on nonpartisan primaries, including Arizona, Idaho and Montana.


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Purdue University students are pushing back against Tippecanoe County's plan for limited voting access on campus. The county has announced only a 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. window on October 24th, leaving students without a full Election Day voting site.

Laila Veidemanis, a Purdue student and West Lafayette City Councilor, expressed her frustration.

"Students should be able to vote on Election Day on campus and not have to walk to City Hall or find transportation to vote," she said.

Tippecanoe County election officials opted against setting up a polling station on campus after reviewing data. They observed a considerable decline in voter registrations from residents on or near campus. In 2020, roughly 6,700 people in the campus area were registered to vote, but by 2024, the figure had fallen to around 3,100.

Veidemanis added that with packed class schedules, extracurriculars, and other commitments, having on-campus voting is essential for students. She recalled how easy voting was in past years, noting that in 2021 she walked from her dorm to cast her ballot.

"And that was not a presidential election year. I do remember it being super easy. As a freshman, I registered. I was given an email of places to vote, and I walked in and voted," she continued.

Mike Schmuhl, Indiana Democratic Party chair, is among those requesting the on-campus Election Day polling location and dissatisfied with the brief window on October 24th.

"At the end of the day, we also think that that's inadequate. Statistics show that particularly in presidential election years there's just higher turnout, more people want to vote - there's more organic knowledge about the election," he contended.


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