Arizona’s school voucher system in trouble, opponents file to block massive expansion

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - Public school advocates who oppose the massive expansion of Arizona’s private school voucher system have filed enough signatures to block it from taking effect.

The law - which extends the program to every child in the state - is now on hold instead of what was supposed to take effect Saturday.

If a review finds that Save Our Schools Arizona has met the requirement for nearly 119,000 valid signatures — and if those signatures survive any court challenges filed by voucher backers — it will remain blocked until the November 2024 election.

Voucher opponents say the program siphons money away from the state’s public schools, which have been underfunded for decades.

Meanwhile, backers of the voucher program say it allows parents to choose the best school for their children. Governor Ducey is a major “school choice” backer and touted the expansion at a ceremonial bill signing in August.