Arizona lawmakers push GOP-backed measures to ballot as session ends in a marathon night

Arizona’s 2026 legislative session closed after a four‑day sprint in which Republicans advanced a slate of ballot referrals—ranging from election overhaul to DEI restrictions and school‑funding changes—bypassing Gov. Hobbs by putting measures directly on the November ballot. The late‑night votes drew clashes between parties, and critics warned the moves could produce a longer, riskier ballot. The session set a record with about 2,190 proposed bills, and only a handful of GOP‑backed measures ended up becoming law, with Democrats noting many were blocked or stalled before finally being sent to voters.