Battleground to watch: Arizona

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Arizona's scorching desert sets the scene for a hot contest. Immigration, housing and reproductive rights are the most important issues in the arid southwestern state.

Transcript

00:00This was once America's Wild West.

00:16Arizona is known for its desert landscapes, its wide open spaces, and yes, the very distinctive

00:25cactus.

00:26But these days, cities like the sprawling capital, Phoenix, are growing quickly.

00:36As more people move in, both major parties see opportunity in Arizona, and that's set

00:41up a heated battle for votes in a state known for its scorching hot climate.

00:51What do you think is the best thing about living in Arizona?

00:54I think we have such a diverse climate.

00:56I think you go really south of Arizona and it's super desert-y.

01:00You can go and see some trees, but you see a lot of cacti, but then you go a couple hours

01:04north and then you just see a bunch of mountains and pine trees and forests, which is really

01:08nice.

01:09What's the worst thing about Arizona?

01:11You're standing in it.

01:14The heat and the politics.

01:15I don't like Arizona's politics very much.

01:18There are several big election issues colliding here.

01:26Housing shortages have put more pressure on the cost of living.

01:30Immigration policy is front and centre, given Arizona borders the US boundaries with Mexico.

01:37And people here aren't just voting for the president at this election, they're also deciding

01:42whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state's constitution.

01:49With reproductive rights, I think for us, especially as women, we want control over

01:55our bodies.

01:56So it's difficult hearing other people tell us what we can and cannot do.

02:01Prices of everything going up, that's definitely something that needs to be taken account for.

02:10Joe Biden became the first Democrat to win Arizona in more than two decades, with a very

02:15narrow victory in 2020.

02:18Whoever takes it this time will pick up 11 electoral college votes.

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