Scottsdale voters will decide the fate of the city's photo enforcement cameras by November 2027 after Arizona voters approved Proposition 319 on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The statewide measure bans new speed and red-light cameras across Arizona. It also requires cities that already operate photo enforcement systems to win voter approval at the next general election to keep them, first reported by KJZZ, citing an Associated Press race call.

The measure was leading with 59% of the vote when the AP called the race early Wednesday, Nov. 4, according to KJZZ. Final certified totals are not yet available.

What it means for Scottsdale

Scottsdale has used photo enforcement since 1996, according to the Scottsdale Progress. The city operates 15 traffic cameras, with 11 at intersections and four mobile units, Scottsdale Police Chief Joe LeDuc told the Progress.

If Scottsdale voters reject the cameras in a November 2027 referendum, the police department would have 90 days to shut down its system, the Progress reported. If voters approve, the authorization lasts 10 years before another vote is required.

Scottsdale collected an average of nearly $3 million per year from traffic camera violations between fiscal years 2021 and 2025, according to city financial records cited by the Arizona Republic.

LeDuc said he respects the community's right to decide the program's future, the Republic reported.

Paradise Valley also affected

Paradise Valley, which borders Scottsdale, also faces a voter referendum. The town's police department was the first agency in the country to use photo enforcement in 1987, according to the city of Paradise Valley, as reported by Arizona Capitol Times. The town said that move resulted in a 42% decrease in traffic collisions.

Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe would all need to put the question to voters at the November 2027 election, the Capitol Times reported.

How the law works

Prop 319 bars state agencies and local governments from installing new photo enforcement systems after Dec. 31, 2026, according to KTAR. Cities with existing contracts by that date can temporarily keep their cameras but must seek voter approval at the next general election.

The measure does not apply to automated license plate reader cameras, such as Flock Safety systems, according to the Capitol Times.

Who supported it

State Sen. Wendy Rogers, a Republican, introduced the resolution that placed Prop 319 on the ballot through Senate Concurrent Resolution 1004 (SCR 1004), KTAR reported. The resolution received broad Republican support and a handful of Democratic votes.

State Sen. John Kavanagh, a Republican who represents Scottsdale and parts of Phoenix, supported the measure, according to the Progress.

Rogers told KTAR that cities want to preserve photo enforcement to keep fine revenue flowing. "Absolutely, it is a cash cow. They can serve these tickets without a human being," she said.

Who opposed it

Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, opposed the measure because it groups speed cameras and red-light cameras together, according to KTAR. He said there is a fair debate about speed cameras but argued red-light cameras prevent violent crashes.

AAA Arizona cited an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) finding that red-light cameras reduce fatal red-light crashes by 21%, according to KOLD. Organizations opposing the measure include AAA Arizona, the Arizona Public Health Association, the Institute of Transportation Engineers Arizona Section and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, according to AZ Luminaria and the Republic.

Scottsdale and Paradise Valley voters will weigh in at the November 2027 general election.