LOOKOUT Publications

Nearly half of the 1.1 million people served by Salt River Project may not be able to vote in the utility’s upcoming election — even if they pay the bill every month.

That’s because SRP voting eligibility isn’t based on residency. It’s tied to a century-old system rooted in farmland ownership, meaning many renters, homeowners and residents in urban areas across Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Glendale are excluded from the vote. Meanwhile, some landowners who don’t even receive SRP power can still participate.

The low-turnout race is now drawing attention from political groups trying to influence the utility’s future.

Read the full story and check whether you’re eligible to vote at the link in our bio.