Every election cycle, Arizona voters are inundated with political advertisements, partisan attacks, and increasingly divisive rhetoric. By October, candidates suddenly remember that independent voters exist, even though we represent roughly one-third of Arizona’s electorate and nearly as many registered voters as Republicans. As an independent voter myself, I find this ritual exhausting.

Independents are not an afterthought. We are not simply undecided Republicans or Democrats waiting to be persuaded. Many of us are looking for something increasingly difficult to find in politics: candidates who demonstrate competence, exercise common sense, and are prepared to govern. This November, Arizonans should cut through the noise, research the candidates, and, importantly, complete their entire ballots.

Down-ballot drop-off is a major problem. Voters participate in high-profile races while skipping contests farther down the ballot, often because they are unfamiliar with the offices or candidates. Yet those lesser-known offices can have an enormous impact on our daily lives and our wallets.

Consider the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Established by the Arizona Constitution, the Arizona Corporation Commission regulates electric, gas, and water utilities. Its 5 elected commissioners determine whether utilities can raise rates, oversee utility safety and reliability, and make decisions that influence household expenses, economic development, infrastructure investments, and Arizona’s energy future. These are decisions that directly affect what Arizonans pay to keep their lights on and their water running.

The Commission currently consists of 5 Republicans: Chair Nick Myers, Vice Chair Rachel Walden, and Commissioners Lea Márquez Peterson, Kevin Thompson, and René Lopez. Two seats are up for election this November, and voters can select 2 candidates.

Five candidates are competing for those seats. Democrats Jonathon Hill and Clara Pratte offer distinct experience. Hill is an engineer and geologist who has worked on NASA missions at Arizona State University. Pratte is a renewable energy developer and former federal and tribal government official with extensive experience in economic development. 

Republicans Kevin Thompson and Ralph Heap bring different backgrounds. Thompson is an incumbent commissioner and former Mesa City Council member. Heap is a state legislator and retired orthopedic surgeon.

Voters should examine each candidate’s experience, priorities, and understanding of the Commission’s responsibilities. Campaign slogans are not substitutes for regulatory knowledge, sound judgment, or the ability to evaluate complex evidence.

Arizona’s 2024 election illustrates why completing the ballot matters. Comparing the highest-vote Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and Republican presidential candidate with their respective parties’ highest-vote Corporation Commission candidates reveals an average decline of nearly 300,000 votes. That is a staggering number of votes in an election where margins can be razor-thin.

The 2024 Corporation Commission election offers another important lesson. The margin between the highest-finishing unsuccessful candidate and the lowest-finishing winner was about 100,000 votes, nearly identical to the votes a third-party candidate received. While third-party candidates can bring valuable perspectives to elections, voters should understand that in close races, the difference between expressing a preference and achieving a policy outcome can be significant. Supporting a candidate with little realistic chance of winning can sometimes help elect someone whose policies directly contradict the values that motivated that vote.

Political independence does not require voting for a third-party candidate. It means evaluating candidates on their qualifications, judgment, and ability to govern, regardless of party affiliation. In a race with real consequences for Arizona’s future, voters should consider not only the principles they want represented, but also whether their choices will help advance those principles or inadvertently undermine them.

As an independent, I believe voters should evaluate qualified candidates regardless of party affiliation. That requires looking beyond partisan labels and assessing who is prepared to do the job. Arizona deserves commissioners who understand their constitutional responsibilities, protect consumers, respect evidence, and make thoughtful decisions about our future. We also deserve elected officials who remember that independent voters matter in January just as much as they do in October.

This election, do not stop after voting for governor or Congress. Take a few minutes to learn about the Corporation Commission candidates, consider the consequences of your choices, and remember that you can vote for 2 commissioners. These decisions will shape Arizona’s energy future, utility costs, and economic development for years to come. Our democracy works best when voters participate fully, not just in the races that generate the loudest headlines.

Cut through the noise. Vote for competence. And finish your ballot.

Autumn Johnson is the founder and principal of Tierra Strategy, a Phoenix-based consulting firm specializing in energy policy, government affairs, and strategic advocacy. She is an attorney with nearly 20 years of experience in environmental law and policy.