November 2020 School District Ballot Measures

Information related to school district ballot measures (bonds and overrides) for the November 2020 General Election.

Prop. 482 – Marana Unified -  10% Override Continuation

Prop. 483 – Tanque Verde Unified - $6,100,000 Bond Approval

Prop. 484 – Continental ESD - 14% Override Continuation


Public Notice - Request for Pro/Con Statements 

Marana Unified School District

Tanque Verde Unified School District

Continental Elementary School District


Statute Information

Bond Elections
The governing board of a school district may, and upon petition of fifteen per cent of the school electors as shown by the poll list at the last preceding annual school election shall, call an election for the purposes prescribed by A.R.S. § 15-491. For further information on bonds and bond elections, refer to A.R.S. Title 35, Chapter 3, Article 3.

Override Elections
If the proposed budget of a school district exceeds the aggregate budget limit for the budget year, the governing board shall order an override election to be held not less than ninety days from the date of the order for the purpose of presenting the proposed budget to the qualified electors of the school district who shall by a majority of those voting either affirm or reject the budget. In addition, the governing board shall prepare an alternate budget which does not include an increase in the budget of more than the amount permitted as provided in A.R.S. .§ 15-905. For further information on override elections, refer to A.R.S. Title 15, Chapter 4, Article 4.


For/Against Arguments for School District Special Election(s)

The deadline to submit a statement of argument for/against a special election is Friday, August 7, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Arguments cannot exceed two hundred words. Arguments may be hand-delivered to 200 N. Stone Ave. Tucson, AZ or mailed to the Pima County School Superintendent’s Office, Attn: Matthew Stamp, 200 N. Stone Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701.

The Pima County School Superintendent is required to review all arguments for factual accuracy and make any corrections to the statement.  The superintendent will not review and correct portions of the arguments that are identified as the author’s opinion. 

Statutes Specific to Override Elections
A.R.S. § 15-481 (B):  The county school superintendent shall prepare an informational pamphlet on the proposed increase in the budget and a sample ballot and, at least forty days prior to the election, shall transmit the informational pamphlet and the sample ballot to the governing board of the school district. The governing board, on receipt of the informational pamphlet and the ballot, shall mail or distribute the informational pamphlet and the ballot to the households in which qualified electors reside within the school district at least thirty-five days prior to the election. Any distribution of material concerning the proposed increase in the budget shall not be conducted by children enrolled in the school district.

A.R.S. § 15-481 (B)(9):  At least two arguments, if submitted, but no more than ten arguments for and two arguments, if submitted, but no more than ten arguments against the proposed increase in the budget. The arguments shall be in a form prescribed by the county school superintendent, and each argument shall not exceed two hundred words. Arguments for the proposed increase in the budget shall be provided in writing and signed by the governing board. The ballot arguments for the proposed increase in the budget shall be signed as the governing board of the school district without listing any member's individual name for the arguments for the proposed increase. If submitted, additional arguments in favor of the proposed increase in the budget shall be provided in writing and signed by those in favor. Arguments against the proposed increase in the budget shall be provided in writing and signed by those in opposition. The names of persons and entities submitting written arguments shall be included in the informational pamphlet. The county school superintendent shall review all factual statements contained in the written arguments and correct any inaccurate statements of fact. The superintendent shall not review and correct any portion of the written arguments that are identified as statements of the author's opinion. The county school superintendent shall make the written arguments available to the public as provided in title 39, chapter 1, article 2. A deadline for submitting arguments to be included in the informational pamphlet shall be set by the county school superintendent.



Important Dates

  • June 26: Deadline for school district to call for an election. School district notifies Pima County School Superintendent's Office (PCSSO) of intent to seek a bond and/or override approval in the November 3, 2020 election.
  • July 6: School district delivers the signed resolution calling for the election to PCSSO.
  • July 15: School district submits Voter Informational Pamphlet content to PCSSO.
  • August 5: Deadline for school district to post notices of election and provide affidavit of posting to PCSSO.
  • August 7: Deadline for area residents and district governing boards to submit signed PRO/CON arguments to PCSSO.

Please contact Matthew Stamp at (520) 724-8454 or matthew.stamp@pima.gov for more information.