Override
ELECTION DATE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 - GENERAL ELECTION
Arguments For/Against School District Special Elections
The deadline to submit a statement of argument for/against a special election is Friday, August 7, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Arguments cannot exceed two hundred words.
A change in Arizona statute § 15-481, now requires the following:
Statements submitted by an organization must have the signature of two executive officers.
Statements submitted by a political committee must have the signature of either the chairman or treasurer of the committee.
Statements submitted by an individual must have the signature of the individual and must be notarized.
Forms for each entity will be made available for download here:
Individual Pro/Con Form
Organization Pro/Con Form
Political Committee Pro/Con Form
The Pinal 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.
To submit a physical paper statement, please download the correct PDF fillable form, print it and sign it and hand deliver or mail it to the following address. Individual statements MUST be notarized or they will not be accepted.
Pinal County School Superintendent
Attn: Nicole O'Brien
P.O. Box 769
Florence, AZ 85132
Statutes Specific to Override Elections
A.R.S. § 15-481
Maricopa Unified School District M&O Override Continuation
Not a New Tax
The continuation of the override is not a new tax - it is a continuation of the local funding that was originally voter-approved in 2016 and approved by voters to continue for another 7 years in 2021. Currently, Maricopa Unified School District's operating budget includes a 10% override increase of $8.3 million. Without the continuation, the District would reduce the override funding over the next three years from its annual operating budget. This is our last school year that we are fully funded. Starting in the 2027/2028 school year, the override would reduce by 1/3 or approximately $2.7 million per year until it is completely eliminated at the end of the 2028/2029 school year.
What Will it Cost Homeowners?
The 10% budget override is a continuation of the existing override so it is not a new tax.
The cost for an average-valued home in 2027 is approximately $0.64 per day, or $233 per year, on a home with an assessed value of $167K.
How Does MUSD Use Override Funding?
The continuation of the override maintains local control of tax dollars by investing in our local schools. In MUSD, the override is used to keep class sizes small, maintain the RAM Academy - a credit recovery and intervention program for at-risk students, and invest in technology.
Maintain Board-Approved Smaller Class Size Targets
Maintain RAM Academy Alternative High School Graduation Program
Invest in Technology
Fiscally Responsible
MUSD operates within all approved budget limits each fiscal year. The District has funded school repair and renewal without raising taxes and has won over 20 awards for fiscal responsibility including the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
What Happens if the M&O Override is Not Approved?
If the override is not approved, the current 10% M&O override would continue fully funded through the 2026/2027 school year. Starting in the 2027/2028 school year the override would reduce by 1/3 or approximately $2.7 million per year until it is completely eliminated at the end of the 2028/2029 school year. Ultimately the loss of the override would result in:
- A reduced capacity to invest in students and instructional technology
- A reduction of teachers and staff hired to maintain current class size targets
- The elimination of RAM Academy, the alternative high school graduation program
Neighboring Districts With M&O Overrides
Like most districts in the state, Maricopa Unified School District has a maintenance and operations override in place. The following neighboring districts currently have voter-approved maintenance and operations overrides:
Kyrene Elementary - 15% Chandler Unified - 15% Tempe Elementary - 15% Tempe Union - 15%
Casa Grande Elementary - 10% Casa Grande Union High School - 10% Eloy Elementary - 15% Stanfield - 10%
Election Date: November 3, 2026
Early Ballots Mailed: October 7, 2026 Suggested Mail Back Date: October 27, 2926