Debate in Arizona over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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These pages were updated from March 2020 through June 2020 and do not contain the latest commentary available. To submit arguments for inclusion on this page, email [email protected]. To learn how Ballotpedia decides which arguments to feature, click here.


Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America's political and civic life. In addition to monitoring federal, state, and local responses to the coronavirus, we are also capturing the nationwide and local debates on whether to extend or lift coronavirus-related restrictions affecting the economy, schools, government operations, public health, religious services, and travel.

These arguments come from a variety of sources, including public officials, journalists, think tanks, economists, scientists, and other stakeholders. We encourage you to share the debates happening in your local community to [email protected].


This article covers the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Arizona in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find the following:


Debate over stay-at-home orders and reopening in Arizona

See also: Debate over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the stay-at-home order in Arizona.

  • Too Soon Arizona (Too Soon Arizona): Too Soon Arizona wrote and organized signing by businesses and individuals of a letter arguing that the state was reopening too soon.

    "We feel proceeding incautiously with the reopening of businesses will worsen human suffering in our communities and prolong the negative impact this pandemic is having on small businesses & the economy. We await guidance from credible epidemiological experts & researchers for a reopen that is safe for our customers and staff." - "A Letter from Small Business Owners Regarding Reopening in Arizona," May 12, 2020.

  • Gov. Doug Ducey (R) (Office of the Arizona Governor): Arizona's state stay-at-home order expired on May 15 and Gov. Ducey issued an executive order effective May 16 to implement his plan for a phased-in reopening of the state's businesses.

    "Today, our hospitals have capacity to provide care to those who need it; our businesses are implementing and adapting to new physical distancing measures; and data shows Arizona is headed in the right direction. It is time to move forward with the next steps of Arizona’s economic recovery — while continuing to make health and safety our number one priority." - "Governor Ducey Announces Next Phase Of Arizona Recovery," May 12, 2020.

  • Tucson Mayor Regina Romero (D) (KGUN): 

    "Unfortunately Governor Ducey here in Arizona plans to lift restrictions much sooner than what the data is telling us that we should be doing. I’m very, very concerned because Arizona as you just said had one of the deadliest days that we’ve had on Tuesday." - "Reopening the state, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero speaks out," May 7, 2020.

  • Steve Kozachik (D), Tucson City Councilman (Arizona Daily Star): With Covid-19 cases in AZ on the rise, state must mandate masks and support stay-at-home restrictions that limited virus spread in March and April.

    "We know that more strict stay-at-home rules work to control the virus. We saw it working back in March and April. And we’ve seen the impact of loosening the restrictions prematurely. The economy will not recover until the virus is better controlled. And until we have a vaccine, we must put into place rules that control behaviors that are exacerbating community spread of the virus." - "Reopen was a mistake, time for Ducey to reinstate stay-at-home order," June 23, 2020.

  • Robert Rob (AZ Central): Robert Robb argues against Senator Kyrsten Sinema's (D) coronavirus shutdown plan.

    "The Sinema approach to managing COVID-19 risk could be caricatured as: Shut everything down. Put everyone on the federal dole. Hardly a day goes by that Sinema doesn’t call for more federal money for someone. She wants new bailouts programs forstate and local governments, non-profits, homeowners and renters. The Sinema approach would surely drive the federal deficit north of $5 trillion. That’s an unfathomable sum, with unfathomable consequences." - "Reopening Arizona may be risky. But Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's COVID-19 shutdown is riskier," May 10, 2020.

  • Governor Doug Ducey (Fox 10 News): Governor Doug Ducey said he wanted to start lifting restrictions on Arizona businesses by May 1, but said he might also extend the stay-at-home order depending on the availability and results of testing.

    "Public health remains our top priority. But in addition to the 'response,' we are also focused on the 'recovery.' With unprecedented unemployment, and our small businesses struggling to stay afloat, we know there will be much work to be done in reinvigorating Arizona's economy." - "Gov. Ducey speaks out on stay at home order and economic recovery amid coronavirus pandemic," April 15, 2020.

  • Dr. Joe Gerald, University of Arizona's Zuckerman College of Public Health (Arizona Republic): "When you put these pieces together, they're really worrisome signs that the outbreak has really gained speed and momentum again. And if we don't do something to turn it around fairly quickly, we could be in real trouble come early July." - "Arizona's COVID-19 spread is 'alarming' and action is needed, experts warn," June 10, 2020.

  • Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego (Fox 10 News): "Any restart needs to be led by the advice of medical professionals. Restarting the economy too soon is perhaps more disastrous than waiting—it is not a switch to be turned on and off. Currently, Arizona is not meeting the criteria to proceed with a May 1 reopening." - "Arizona's stay-at-home order a target of planned protests," April 18, 2020.

    • Additional reading

  • "Poll: Arizonans think 'reopening' is too soon; Most Republicans not concerned" - Tucson Sentinel, May 18, 2020


Debate over school closures in Arizona

See also: Debate over school closures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on school closures in Arizona.


Debate over religious service restrictions in Arizona

See also: Debate over religious service restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on religious service restrictions in Arizona.

We have not yet identified any statements related to this topic or state. To suggest a statement, email us.


Debate over election policy in Arizona

See also: Debate over election policies and procedures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on election policies in Arizona.

  • Virginia Ross and Lisa Marra (AZ Central): "The most compelling reason to pursue the ballot-by-mail option this year is it is the safest option for voters, election workers and voting sites. It provides a way for people to participate in their democracy while implementing the COVID-19 prevention recommendations. It also provides election officials across the state a way to help protect the health of their employees and volunteers. This is about people, not politics, and we respectfully renew our call to Rep. Bolick and the rest of the Legislature to allow us to conduct accurate, secure and safe ballot-by-mail elections this year." - "We run elections in Arizona. An all-mail option for 2020 wouldn't ruin the process.," April 8, 2020.

  • Shawnna Bolick (AZ Central): "When a registered voter checks into their polling place, they show their government-issued ID so they can cast their ballot on a voting machine that has passed a logic and accuracy test performed by the Secretary of State’s Equipment Certification Advisory Committee. A ballot cast in person tends to be counted more accurately and more securely than one mailed. A knee-jerk reaction to move to a mail-only election would lead to lengthy tabulation scenarios compromising the integrity of our elections. Arizona already offers several methods to vote. Now is not the time to reduce our voting options to just one, especially during a national emergency when our voice truly counts." - "All-mail voting would only compromise the integrity of elections," April 2, 2020.


Responses to the coronavirus in Arizona

See also: Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Arizona)

Click the links below for more on responses to the coronavirus pandemic in Arizona.

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

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Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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