PHOENIX — Maricopa County voters have approved Proposition 409, a nearly $900 million bond measure to fund upgrades to Valleywise Health, the county’s public health system. The measure passed with 51.36% support after the latest election results were released Saturday.
The bond will allow the Maricopa County Special Health Care District to issue up to $898 million in general obligation bonds for new behavioral health facilities, emergency care improvements, and modernization of existing hospitals.
Valleywise officials said the funding will help double the number of mental health beds to meet rising demand — mental health cases in the Valley have increased 165% in the past decade.
With voter approval, planning will begin for expanded treatment centers and upgrades to the hospital system.
Voter turnout and local measures
According to the Maricopa County Elections Department, more than 704,000 ballots were cast — a 26.6% turnoutfor the all-mail election.
Alongside Prop 409, voters decided on dozens of local ballot questions, including school district bonds and city charter changes.
Apache Junction: Voters approved extending mayoral terms to four years.
Avondale: Passed a parks and recreation bond but narrowly rejected a public safety and court bond.
Chandler: Approved all four bond measures — for parks, fire, police, and streets — with strong margins.
Glendale: Approved a flood control bond but narrowly rejected a facilities bond.
Mesa: Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury lost her recall election to Dorean Taylor, backed by Turning Point Action.
In school district elections, most budget overrides and bond measures in Phoenix, Chandler, and Deer Valley passed, while several rural and suburban districts — including Buckeye and Peoria — rejected funding increases.
The Phoenix Elementary and Phoenix Union districts both won voter approval for budget increases and override continuations, signaling strong support for central city education funding.
Fire and medical district measures also saw widespread approval, with voters in Superstition, North County, and South County backing new bond initiatives.
Full results are available at the Maricopa County Elections Department website.
