City of Chandler Question 1 — Granting a Franchise to Arizona Public Service (APS) (Maricopa County)

What it does

Shall a franchise be granted to Arizona Public Service for a term of 25 years to begin January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2051, in accordance with Ordinance No. 5160 submitted by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Chandler, Arizona?

A YES vote means

Arizona Public Service would be granted a 25-year franchise in Chandler, from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2051, under Ordinance No. 5160.

A NO vote means

The franchise under Ordinance No. 5160 would not be granted to Arizona Public Service.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Who would notice

APS customers in Chandler, whose bills include the franchise fee paid to the City, and all Chandler residents, since the fee goes to general city services and the agreement governs work in City streets. All Chandler voters may vote, whether or not they are APS customers.

How it got here

APS submitted the proposed franchise; the City Council adopted Resolution No. 5999 (April 9, 2026) and Ordinance No. 5160 (April 23, 2026) to send it to voters.

Written by SpectrumVote from 1 linked sources (1). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

According to Ordinance No. 5160, Arizona Public Service Company (APS) submitted a proposed franchise to the City. The franchise would let APS build, maintain and operate its electric system in Chandler's public rights-of-way, and Arizona's Constitution and laws and the City Charter require voters to approve it.

The City Council adopted Resolution No. 5999 on April 9, 2026, declaring the franchise beneficial to the City and ordering a special franchise election alongside the November 3, 2026 general election. It then adopted Ordinance No. 5160 on April 23, 2026; if voters approve, the ordinance takes effect January 1, 2027.

The ballot sets the franchise term at 25 years, from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2051. The full franchise agreement (Exhibit A) is available from the City Clerk and was not printed in the pamphlet.

The City's publicity pamphlet prints three arguments in favor, from APS, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and Councilmember Matt Orlando, and no arguments against.

Put on the ballot by Chandler City Council, Resolution No. 5999 (April 9, 2026) and Ordinance No. 5160 (adopted April 23, 2026); vote count not printed in the pamphlet.

From official source.

Who's for and against

A sourced selection, not a complete list. Who supports a measure is listed so you can see who is behind each side; SpectrumVote takes no position.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Maricopa County ballots

• City of Chandler Proposition 430 — Continuation of the Local Alternative Expenditure Limitation (Home Rule)
• City of Chandler Proposition 431 — Charter Amendment (Selection of the Vice-Mayor)
• City of Chandler Proposition 432 — Charter Amendment (Resign-to-Run)
• City of Chandler Proposition 433 — Charter Amendment (Eliminating Second Consideration of Ordinances)
• City of Chandler Proposition 434 — Charter Amendment (Residency of Council Appointees)
• City of Mesa Question 1 — General Obligation Bond: Enhance Public Safety ($150,000,000)
• City of Mesa Question 2 — General Obligation Bond: Transportation Improvements ($135,000,000)
• City of Mesa Question 3 — Charter Amendment: Section 209(A), Council Meeting Procedures and Public Notice
• City of Mesa Question 4 — Charter Amendment: Section 211, Ordinance Posting and Publication
• Town of Paradise Valley Proposition 426 — Permanent Base Adjustment to the Expenditure Limitation
• Town of Paradise Valley Proposition 427 — Capital Projects Accumulation Fund Exemption
• City of Avondale Proposition 418 — Public Safety Improvement Bonds ($55,000,000)

All Maricopa County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Chandler Question 1 mean?

Arizona Public Service would be granted a 25-year franchise in Chandler, from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2051, under Ordinance No. 5160.

What does a NO vote on City of Chandler Question 1 mean?

The franchise under Ordinance No. 5160 would not be granted to Arizona Public Service.

Do I vote on this if I'm not an APS customer?

Yes. All Chandler voters decide it, because it governs how City rights-of-way are used.

Does this change who my electric provider is?

No. Councilmember Matt Orlando's pamphlet argument says the agreement does not determine who provides electrical service, and the franchise is non-exclusive.

Where can I read the full agreement?

The franchise agreement (Exhibit A to Ordinance No. 5160) was not printed in the pamphlet; it is available from the Chandler City Clerk and at chandleraz.gov/GeneralElection.

How many votes does City of Chandler Question 1 need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Chandler Question 1?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.