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.
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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.