December 2nd, 2024 Webinar
the Four Plagues
End Negative Campaigning
Advocate for campaigns that focus on constructive discourse and policy-based debates.
Implement regulations that hold candidates accountable for false and malicious statements.
Eliminate the Influence of Special Interest Money
End the disproportionate influence of wealthy donors and special interest groups in political campaigns and policymaking.
Implement robust campaign finance reform to ensure transparency and equity.
Combat Political Extremes
Foster a political environment that encourages moderation, compromise, and collaboration.
Promote policies that discourage divisive rhetoric and extreme partisan positions.
Reform Big Media
Encourage responsible journalism that prioritizes accurate, unbiased reporting over sensationalism and bias.
Support media literacy programs to help citizens discern reliable information from misinformation.
Grand Prize Entries
Chappy m. from Casa Grande
The 2024 election season in Arizona has been relentless, leaving many residents feeling exasperated and exhausted. From a constant barrage of text messages to an avalanche of print mailers and commercial ads, the election experience has grown intrusive and overwhelming. Adding to the frustration is the significant role of dark money, which funnels unchecked influence into the state’s political climate. With Arizona now a focal point in national politics, the relentless campaigning seems to have reached unprecedented levels, impacting the daily lives and peace of many residents.
A few years ago, text messages were personal spaces of communication, now, the 2024 election season seems determined to shatter that boundary. Almost daily, Arizonans receive multiple text messages urging them to support various candidates, donate to campaigns, or join political rallies. These texts, often unsolicited, disrupt work, meals, and family time, creating a sense of invasion and overreach by campaigns. Even opting out seems ineffective, as the messages often come from different numbers or untraceable sources, making it feel like an endless loop that infringes on personal space.
Arizona’s television screens have been filled with relentless political commercials, many of them harshly negative or filled with fear-inducing rhetoric. Candidates and political action committees (PACs) pour enormous amounts into these ads, which often run back-to-back and disrupt entertainment, news, and sports. The aggressive tone of these commercials and their relentless frequency add a sense of weariness to an already polarized political atmosphere. In an attempt to sway or frighten voters, these commercials may exaggerate or distort issues, leaving residents feeling distrustful and emotionally exhausted.
The physical mailboxes of Arizonans have not been spared either, as they’re bombarded with print mailers almost daily. These materials often go straight to the trash, as their frequency and content grow increasingly irrelevant or redundant. For those seeking accurate information on candidates or policies, print mailers can feel wasteful and frustrating, as they rarely contain anything new or impartial. The environmental impact of so much disposable paper and the sheer annoyance of seeing the mailbox cluttered with political flyers only add to the discontent.
Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of the 2024 Arizona election season is the prominent role of dark money. Political advertisements are often funded by obscure organizations with little accountability, leaving voters uncertain about who is behind the messages. The lack of transparency fuels distrust in the political process and raises concerns about the integrity of Arizona’s elections. Without proper vetting or regulation of these donations, dark money allows powerful interests to manipulate public opinion covertly, skewing the democratic process.
Arizona has emerged as a critical battleground state, and this status has brought with it a new level of political intensity and scrutiny. Candidates from across the political spectrum are investing heavily to sway the Arizona vote, making residents feel as though they are constantly caught in the crossfire of national attention. While the importance of participating in democracy is understood and valued, the feeling of being “politically besieged” has worn thin for many Arizonans, who crave respite from the constant campaigning.
The 2024 election season in Arizona exemplifies the intense and often intrusive nature of modern campaigning, where the means of communication—texts, commercials, and print—overwhelm rather than inform. The influence of dark money only deepens these frustrations, as voters struggle to find transparency amidst a cloud of unregulated spending. As Arizonans brace for the final stretch, many hope for reform in campaign practices, desiring a more respectful and transparent political process. The right to vote remains a cornerstone of democracy, but the manner in which campaigns approach voters needs recalibration to protect not only the electoral process but the peace of everyday life.
Corey M. from Phoenix