Over the last five years, school choice policies and political battles have exploded. States like Arizona, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Nevada are just some of the states that have seen these policies either expand, contract or remain in limbo while major political battles happen around who should have access to state funds for education and how they should be used. 

This fall, voters in many of these states will deliver their verdict on these policies, or the lack thereof, in gubernatorial elections. School voucher-styled policies, such as education savings accounts, are shifting money in the local education system and this election will provide a clearer picture of where the use of public dollars in private education will be headed. 

Arizona is a prime example of a state where school choice is on the ballot. Arizona was one of the first states to adopt school choice policies, and has some of the most expansive in the nation. EdChoice estimates Arizona had the nation’s second-largest private school choice spending in its 2026 analysis, at about $1.16 billion. Incumbent Katie Hobbs is favoring accountability restrictions while her challenger Andy Biggs is in favor of expanding the programs. This is playing out in major hubs for school choice, where political battles have already been underway in the legislature, but this will be a critical election across the states for the future of these policies, as Governors hold a lot of sway. Most voucher and school choice legislation originates in state legislatures, but governors can influence it at every stage, from encouraging or discouraging it to shaping it or vetoing it outright.  

School choice policies might include policies like supporting school vouchers and the privatization of public funds in education, such as education savings accounts. So, who supports these policies? Support doesn’t map as cleanly onto partisan divides as it may first appear. For example, many homeschooling families from across the political spectrum support school choice policies because it aids them in educating their children. 

Generally speaking, support for school choice policies has been understood to be strongest amongst Republicans. Not every Democrat is against school choice policies and not all Republicans are for them. Republican state representatives are often advocating for these policies at the legislative level in many states. However, there are many exceptions. For example, some rural Republicans have rejected school choice policies. This happened notably in Texas: rural Republicans strongly opposed vouchers as detrimental to public education. They argue that schools are the backbone of the community in rural areas and losing even a few students lead to significant funding cuts and even school closures. Rural politicians who fought against school choice policies were successfully primaried by pro-voucher challenges.

School Choice is the hot button topic right now leading into the election. Policies are expanding rapidly and changing just as quickly in states across the nation. As always, we will continue to provide simple, clear information on national homeschool news and policy changes. We update our blog weekly every Monday, so be sure to check back regularly for the latest homeschooling news, with practical insights for families.