The Citizens Clean Elections Commission has launched a brand-new podcast titled "Beyond the Ballot AZ", designed to bring Arizona's civic stories to life in under 15 minutes per episode. The podcast officially debuted on May 1, with the goal of inspiring Arizonans to better understand, appreciate, and participate in state and local government.

Hosted by Tom Collins, Executive Director of Clean Elections, and Gina Roberts, Voter Education Director, the podcast offers a fresh and engaging take on civics by connecting key historical moments to today's political landscape in Arizona. Each episode begins with a look at a pivotal point in Arizona's civic history before tying it directly to issues and elections impacting residents now.

"We aim to dive into civics stories in a way that will give listeners content that is interesting and useful," said Roberts. "We hope every episode inspires our audience to want to learn more about how the government works, as well as practical ways to get involved."

Episode 1 Now Streaming

The first episode, titled "An Arizona Visionary," honors the late Congressman Raúl Grijalva. Listeners will hear insights from Tom Volgy, former Mayor of Tucson and current professor at the University of Arizona, as he reflects on Grijalva's collaborative leadership style and unwavering commitment to his values. The episode also covers the upcoming special election to fill Arizona's Congressional District 7 seat, which includes parts of Tucson, Yuma, Nogales, Avondale, and Tolleson.

"There is no doubt that Arizona's civic history is filled with enough big personalities, dynamic social movements, and political events to fill our first season," said Collins. "We intend to focus on topics that are timely and appealing to everyday Arizonans."

Listen and Learn

"Beyond the Ballot AZ" is available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes released twice a month. For a full list of listening options, visit the Clean Elections website.

In a state as politically pivotal as Arizona, "Beyond the Ballot AZ" offers the knowledge and tools voters need to stay informed and engaged.