Water is Top-of-Mind for Arizona Voters
Early voting opened on October 7, and over 160,000 Arizonans have already cast their ballots. For many Arizonans, securing the state’s water future is a high priority. According to polling from the Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA), a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, the majority of likely Arizona voters in both parties support dedicating more state funding to water, investing in desalination and wastewater recycling strategies, and strengthening groundwater protections in the state’s rural areas.
The report also paints a sobering picture of voters’ attitudes about the state’s water resources—the majority of survey respondents were concerned that water resource systems should be ready for future growth and a more arid future. “The findings show voters want action to prepare Arizona for continued growth and protect its prosperity and quality of life,” the report stated.
Concerned citizens across the country united on October 15 to participate in the “Imagine a Day Without Water” campaign. Organized by members of the national nonprofit US Water Alliance, this annual day of advocacy encourages people to notice how crucial water is to their daily lives by imagining a day without it.
The same group that organizes “Imagine a Day Without Water” also conducts national opinion polling on water’s value, and their 2026 results mirror Arizona’s. The vast majority (81%) of voters nationwide support increased federal investment in water infrastructure. Majorities are also concerned about extreme weather events, the strain that the data center buildout could place on water resources, and the affordability of water.