WE DID IT!!! 421,451 Signatures
Filed to Protect Education
announcement shared by save our schools:
We were incredibly proud to deliver an estimated total of 421,451 signatures for the Protect Education Act alongside our partners at the Arizona Education Association this Thursday morning. Because of all of YOU – the incredible volunteers across the state – the Protect Education Act turned in more than enough signatures to withstand court challenges from voucher-pushing special interests
These hundreds of thousands of signatures represent the clear will of Arizona voters to place significant reforms on the ESA voucher program that is siphoning $1 billion from Arizona’s underfunded public schools. Arizona voters are more than ready to add common-sense guardrails to provide far better transparency and accountability, to curtail waste, fraud and abuse, and to ensure safety and quality academics for all students.
These 421,451 signatures represent the tireless dedication of thousands of volunteers — parents, educators, students, retirees, and community members — who care deeply about Arizona students and the future of public education in our state. In 14 short weeks and in 100-degree temperatures, Protect Education’s army of volunteers and statewide, grassroots coalition partners talked to hundreds of thousands of voters about the critical importance of public education, laying the groundwork for a YES vote to Protect Education in November.
As we write this, the Secretary of State's office is destapling and scanning the petitions. Next, signatures will be scanned and a random sample will be sent to each of Arizona's 15 county recorders for signature verification. The entire process follows strictly specified statutory guidelines. Stay tuned!!
Turning in these signatures was a massive step towards a historic, first-in-the-nation effort to rein in universal vouchers and prioritize public education. The next step is winning in court against special interests! We are so honored to help build this people-powered movement to give Arizona voters a voice to Protect Education!