A 2026 Arizona ballot initiative on food taxes is scheduled for public debate, reflecting ongoing tension over whether groceries and food items should be subject to sales tax. Arizona is one of a shrinking number of states that still allows local municipalities to tax food, and this initiative could change that statewide policy.
Should Arizona eliminate sales taxes on food and groceries?
How OpenCampaign quiz-takers stand on this issue
No quiz question covers this exact issue — showing responses to the closest one, Business and Consumers.
28% call it a high-priority issue (rating it 7+ out of 10).
Liberal5%
Lean liberal22%
Moderate30%
Lean conservative28%
Conservative15%
Where do you stand?
Should Arizona eliminate sales taxes on food and groceries?
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | Ballot Initiative (Food Tax)
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
Yes, eliminate all food taxes statewide and reimburse low-income families for past taxes paid.
Yes, eliminate the food tax statewide — it disproportionately burdens lower-income families.
Eliminate food taxes only in cities where the burden on residents is demonstrated to be highest.
Leave food tax decisions to individual municipalities to decide for their own communities.
Keep existing food taxes as a stable revenue source for local governments and services.
Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax ban
Arizona's Proposition 141 on the 2026 ballot would prohibit the government from imposing taxes or fees based on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and from enacting rules to monitor or limit vehicle miles traveled without consent. VMT taxes have been proposed nationally as a replacement for the gas tax as fuel-efficient vehicles reduce gas tax revenues, but critics see them as government overreach and a privacy threat.
Should Arizona ban vehicle miles traveled (VMT) taxes and monitoring without consent?
How OpenCampaign quiz-takers stand on this issue
No quiz question covers this exact issue — showing responses to the closest one, Business and Consumers.
28% call it a high-priority issue (rating it 7+ out of 10).
Liberal5%
Lean liberal22%
Moderate30%
Lean conservative28%
Conservative15%
Where do you stand?
Should Arizona ban vehicle miles traveled (VMT) taxes and monitoring without consent?
Proposition 141: Prohibit the government from imposing taxes or fees based on vehicle miles traveled and from enacting rules to monitor or limit vehicle miles traveled without the person's consent
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
No — VMT taxes are a fair, modern way to fund roads equitably across all vehicle types including EVs.
No — VMT taxes should be studied as a potential infrastructure funding tool before being banned outright.
Allow VMT taxes only on an opt-in basis with full transparency and strong privacy protections.
Yes — ban VMT taxes to protect drivers' privacy and prevent government from monitoring travel behavior.
Yes — permanently ban VMT taxes and any government tracking of vehicle travel without explicit consent.
Food tax ballot initiative
A 2026 ballot initiative on a food tax is set for public debate. Tax policy on groceries intersects with affordability concerns that Arizona voters rank highly amid broader cost-of-living and economic pressures.
How should Arizona handle taxes on food?
How OpenCampaign quiz-takers stand on this issue
No quiz question covers this exact issue — showing responses to the closest one, Business and Consumers.
28% call it a high-priority issue (rating it 7+ out of 10).
More than half of Arizona voters say Trump is doing a poor job on inflation (55%) and affordable housing (58%).
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
Fully eliminate any food sales taxes and replace revenue with higher taxes on wealthy or corporations
Exempt basic groceries from sales tax and fund the gap through progressive revenue measures
Keep a narrow or reduced food tax with clear exemptions for staples and low-income relief
Apply standard sales tax to most food items to broaden the base and keep overall rates lower
Tax food at full rates without special exemptions to maximize revenue neutrality and simplicity
Vehicle miles traveled taxes and tracking
Proposition 141 would prohibit Arizona government from imposing taxes or fees based on vehicle miles traveled and from enacting rules to monitor or limit VMT without personal consent, raising questions about transportation funding and privacy.
Should Arizona allow taxes or monitoring based on vehicle miles traveled?
How OpenCampaign quiz-takers stand on this issue
No quiz question covers this exact issue — showing responses to the closest one, Business and Consumers.
28% call it a high-priority issue (rating it 7+ out of 10).
Liberal5%
Lean liberal22%
Moderate30%
Lean conservative28%
Conservative15%
Where do you stand?
Should Arizona allow taxes or monitoring based on vehicle miles traveled?
Prohibit the government from imposing taxes or fees based on vehicle miles traveled and from enacting rules to monitor or limit vehicle miles traveled without the person’s consent
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
Yes; implement VMT fees with privacy safeguards to replace gas taxes and fund green transit
Allow optional or limited VMT pilot programs tied to road use and climate goals
Study VMT options carefully but require voter approval and strong consent rules first
Largely ban VMT taxes and tracking; keep traditional fuel and registration fees
Fully prohibit VMT taxes, fees, and any mileage monitoring as privacy and freedom violations