It's election day and voters will decide on Proposition 410 and 206, as well as the city council races of Wards 3, 5 and 6.
Proposition 206
Proposition 206 is the proposed minimum wage hike. By 2025, the minimum wage in Tucson will be $15 per hour. It will come in increments, starting with a increase in April of 2022.
- $13 by April 1, 2022
- $13.50 by January 1, 2023
- $14.25 by January 1, 2024
- $15.00 by January 1, 2025
Business owners across Tucson are for the hike but some are against. Dwight Metzger, the owner of the Gloo Factory, said the minimum wage hike is important because it helps the employees.
But HT Metals owner Carlos Ruiz said the hike is actually not good for employees and employers.
“I think it puts a barrier between my relationship with my employees and myself as the business owner, and it creates an anti-business climate in Tucson in general," Ruiz said.
Proposition 410
Proposition 410 will increase the salaries of the mayor and council members. The mayor's salary would increase to $54,000 and the city council members would increase to $36,000. The hike would go into effect on December 4, 2023. The salaries would also adjust based off the cost of living.
"We have this conversation every time this particular item goes to the voters," Mayor Regina Romero said. "I know that just around this table, there are at least four of us that have to work."
Tucson City Council elections
This election cycle, Wards 3, 5 and 6 are up for re-election. Democrat Councilmember Richard Fimbres is running for re-election unopposed in Ward 5, with write-in candidates Shelley Cross and Adalberto Diaz making longshot bids for the seat. Independent Val Romero is hoping to unseat Democratic Councilmember Steve Kozachik in Ward 6.
But the biggest race for City Council this year is in Ward 3 — the seat occupied by Councilmember Paul Durham before he resigned for personal reasons earlier this year. The mayor appointed Karen Uhlich, who formerly represented Ward 3 on the council, to hold the seat until a new election.
Today, voters will decide between Democrat Kevin Dahl, Republican Alan Harwell Jr. and Independent Lucy Libosha to serve as the new council member for Ward 3.
Voting Locations
City elections are all mail-in ballots, which voters should have already received. It's too late to send the ballot back, but you can still drop it off — or request a replacement ballot — at any of these locations during these hours today:
- Department of Housing and Community Development
- 310 N. Commerce Park Loop
- 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Morris K. Udall Regional Center
- 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road
- 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Donna R. Liggins Recreation Center
- 2160 N. 6th Avenue
- 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- William Clements Recreation Center
- 8155 E. Poinciana Drive
- 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- El Pueblo Senior Center
- 101 W. Irvington Road
- 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Parks and Recreation Administration - Randolph Park
- 900 S. Randolph Way
- 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Tucson City Clerk Election Center
- 800 E. 12th Street
- 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Pima County Recorder's Office (Ballot drop-off only)
- 240 N. Stone Avenue
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Make sure to bring your ID when going to vote.
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