You may be eligible to vote in the April 2026 Salt River Project board election, but many citizens do not exercise their right to vote for the SRP Board. Even homeowners who receive electricity from Arizona Public Service may still have voting rights.
There is a different vote by mail request than the one used for general elections.
What makes this election unusual is that voting power is tied to the amount of land you own.
It may sound surprising, but that is how the system works.
● Your eligibility to vote depends on where your property is located, not which company provides your electricity. This structure dates back more than a century to when Salt River Project was first established.
● The Salt River Project service area is divided into ten districts, and all of the following Scottsdale zip codes (85250, 85251, 85257) east or south of the canal fall within land that is eligible to vote in SRP elections. Additionally, most of the rest of the Phoenix area (excluding N. Phoenix and N. Scottsdale) are eligible to vote.
● Each district elects one Board member and three Council members. In addition, voters elect four at-large Board members and one president.
● For district seats and the president, SRP uses an acre-based voting system. For example, if your home sits on one-third of an acre, your property carries one-third of a vote. If two people own that property, each person receives one-sixth of a vote, which means both owners must register and vote individually. If the home is held in a trust, the trust casts the vote on behalf of the property.
● The at-large Board positions are decided using a simpler rule of one property owner, one vote.
Because these rules can be confusing, only about 5 percent of eligible voters participate in SRP elections.
You might wonder why the election matters if Salt River Project does not supply your electricity. The reality is that utility decisions affect the entire region. Issues such as data center development, electricity costs, and rooftop solar policies influence the broader energy system that serves all of us.
The process may seem complicated, but the most important step is simple: register to vote.
You can click here for the “SRP Permanent Early Voting List Request Form.”
If you own a home, or multiple properties, within the yellow area shown on the map, you likely have voting rights for each property you own.
To learn more, visit Arizona Center for Energy at www.azce.org
The Salt River Project is a community-based, not-for-profit utility serving more than 2 million people in central Arizona. Unlike investor-owned utilities, SRP is partially governed by elected representatives, giving qualified landowners a direct voice in decisions about water management, electric rates, infrastructure, and sustainability initiatives.
SRP’s governance structure includes an elected Board of Directors and Council. Qualified voters within the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District elect representatives to oversee policy decisions, financial stewardship, water operations, and power generation.
Because SRP is a not-for-profit entity, its focus is on serving customers rather than generating profits for shareholders. Board members help guide:
• Electric rate structures
• Renewable energy investments
• Water delivery and conservation policy
• Infrastructure modernization
• Long-term financial planning
Why SRP Matters to Arizona Residents
Central Arizona continues to grow rapidly. With new housing developments, expanding commercial corridors, and evolving environmental challenges, utilities must balance affordability with long-term resource planning.
In a state where water security and energy reliability are constant public conversations, SRP governance plays a foundational role.
SRP voting in Arizona plays an important role in shaping water security, energy reliability, and long-term affordability. As the region continues to grow and face ongoing drought challenges, community participation in SRP governance helps ensure that leadership reflects local priorities and responsible stewardship of critical desert resources.
Here’s the link to sign up for the permanent early voter list for the SRP board election.
This is a different vote by mail request than the one used for general elections.
Early voting starts March 11th for an April 7th election day.
Here’s the link for the interactive map where you can see all voting districts. Please feel free to share with friends and neighbors.
SRP voting gives the community a voice in how one of the region’s most critical public utilities evolves. Participation helps ensure that leadership reflects the priorities of those who live and invest in central Arizona.
Works Cited
Salt River Project. “About SRP.” SRP, https://www.srpnet.com/about.
Salt River Project. “SRP Governance and Elections.” SRP, https://www.srpnet.com/about/governance.
Arizona Department of Water Resources. “Arizona Water Resources Overview.” ADWR, https://new.azwater.gov.
U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Arizona State Energy Profile.” EIA, https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=AZ.
