Stop Discriminating Based on Race
In 2010, Arizona voters ratified—by a 19-point margin—a constitutional amendment to ban racial discrimination (including so-called “affirmative action”) policies from our public institutions, but this language left the door open to schools and universities seeking to circumvent its intent.
Since that time, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices, programming, and practices have also spread across state institutions to promote race-based preferential treatment and ideological indoctrination of applicants, staff, and students.
This measure prohibits Arizona public agencies from promoting race-based policies or programs and ensures that all students, staff, and job candidates are treated equally regardless of skin color. Among its provisions, this measure would:
Close the loophole in the state constitution’s ban that allows the federal government to pressure our state institutions into practicing racial discrimination.
Prohibit state agencies from forcing a student, employee or job applicant to make a statement in support of DEI in any employment, contracting, graduation, or certification/licensing decision.
Prohibit the state from wasting taxpayer dollars on the operation of DEI offices in institutions of public education.
Prohibit the state from mandating employees or students to participate in training and courses that promote various tenets of DEI.
Require schools to treat students equally in matters of discipline rather than basing punishments on the race of the students.
Expressly allow the legislature to add to the list of protections statutorily.
Expressly allow instruction on historical instances of discrimination (Holocaust, slavery, Japanese internment, etc.).
Over 80% of Arizona voters agree that public schools and universities should NOT give preferential treatment to students and employees based upon race and agree that public educational institutions should hire teachers based upon teaching ability, not political ideology.
This measure will help redirect state resources away from costly & discriminatory DEI offices back toward academic excellence and efficient government operations across our state.