How do the five core protections of the First Amendment actually impact you in Arizona?

In this episode, hosts Tom and Gina sit down with Taylor Seely, First Amendment Reporter at The Arizona Republic and azcentral, to talk about the first amendment. Taylor also shares behind-the-scenes insights from moderating the Tempe City Council candidate debate.

Guest: Taylor Seely

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Does the "Judicial Retention" section of your ballot leave you guessing? In this episode, hosts Tom and Gina sit down with Former Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, Scott Bales, to demystify the Arizona court system.

We explore the vital role of a nonpartisan judiciary in maintaining the rule of law. Justice Bales breaks down how Arizona’s merit selection system works and provides a roadmap for voters to educate themselves on judicial performance before heading to the polls.

Guest: Former Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court Scott Bales

Alliance of Former Chief Justices

AZ Judicial Performance Review (JPR) Site

Clean Elections Voter Education Guide

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This week, we're digging into the essential services that impact your daily life—starting with how your trash gets picked up! As part of our ongoing effort to connect voters with the local government they interact with the most, this episode features the City of Tucson's trash and recycling services.

Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission talk with Carlos DeLaTorre, the Director of the Environmental Services Department at the city of Tucson, about the people, processes, and policies behind keeping your neighborhood clean, and find out how you can have a voice in these crucial local operations.

Guest: Carlos DeLaTorre

Clean Elections: Find my Elected Officials

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What you need to know as the 2026 election cycle kicks off. Tom and Gina break down the latest from the Arizona State Capitol, including a look at the 2026 legislative session. From the potential shift of the Arizona Primary date, Proposition 123 and education funding to the massive effort to get 4,000+ students involved in local civics, this episode is your nonpartisan guide to staying informed.

Check Your Registration Status

Prop 123 Nonpartisan Breakdown

CCEC: 2026 Election Dates & Deadlines

CCEC: Civics Toolkit for Teachers

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Tom and Gina break down the most impactful Arizona election results and policy of 2025. They revisit the year’s key themes, from education funding to Gen Z participation.

Revisit clips from expert guests as we analyze how Arizona adapted to the year's challenges and what these developments mean for Arizona political history.

Empower your vote and stay informed. Access nonpartisan voter guides, check your registration, and learn more about the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission at azcleanelections.gov.

CCEC Webpage

AZ Clean Elections YouTube: Arizona Debates: CD7 Special Election - General Debate

C-SPAN: Gov't shutdown to end after House vote; Epstein emails mention Trump

C-SPAN: Speaker Johnson swears in for Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ)

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On December 2nd, the Commission filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Adrian Fontes over the former No Labels Party's change of name to the Arizona Independent Party.

It’s a good time to revisit what it means to be an independent in Arizona.

Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Clean Elections Commission sit down with Dr. Thom Reilly, Co-Director of the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at ASU, and author of 'The Independent Voter,' to learn more about the two party system, what it takes to run on a third party ticket, and where the independent voter fits in.

CCEC: Voting As An Independent In Arizona

The independent vote in 2024: An analysis of swing-states vs. US (from Edison Research / National Election poll via Reuters exit poll data)

Gallup: Independents Drive Trump's Approval to 37% Second-Term Low

Pew Research Center: Support for more political parties in the U.S. is higher among adults under age 50

Gallup: Support for a Third Political Party in the U.S. Dips to 58%

Book: The Independent Voter

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In the general election earlier this month, many Arizona voters decided on ballot items impacting public schools. But how does that process actually fund buildings and operations? This episode breaks down the complex system of Arizona school finance.

Hosts Tom Collins and Gina Roberts from the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission talk to Glenn Farley from the Common Sense Institute about his research on school capital finance formulas.

We cover the basics of AZ school capital finance, policy & impact since the great recession, practical advice for voters on how to research and understand school-related propositions and bonds, and more.

Guest: Glenn Farley

Common Sense Institute: Arizona School Districts’ Growing Problem with Empty Buildings and Empty Buses

Clean Elections Website: Past Elections

Clean Elections Newsletter

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Data guru Garrett Archer joins us to unpack the numbers behind Arizona's shift to a swing state, explaining how changing voter coalitions, the independent voters (unaffiliated voters), and people moving to the state are reshaping our electoral landscape.

We break down the key data points that define Arizona's unique political mix and more.

For official, nonpartisan information on voting in Arizona and understanding clean funding, head over to the AZ Citizens Clean Elections Commission website.

Guest: Garrett Archer

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