Poll Under Fire: Did Support for Axon Project Come Without Full Disclosure?

With Texas extending an invitation to relocate, State 48 News unpacks the politics, the polling, and what’s at stake if Axon’s zoning change request fails.

Although it was no April Fools’ joke—on April 1st, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce released a poll revealing strong bipartisan support among Arizona voters, including those in Scottsdale, for the Axon campus project and SB 1543.

When news of the poll hit social media, it didn’t take long for people to start raising questions and voicing concerns. To get clarity, State 48 News turned to a trusted source—Arizona-based polling firm Data Orbital.

George Khalaf, president of Data Orbital, also casts questions on the recent poll used to promote legislation greenlighting Axon’s controversial Scottsdale headquarters expansion. Khalaf says the poll, conducted last week by Cygnal and released by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, omits critical details about the true impact of the strike-everything amendment to Senate Bill 1543 (SB 1543) — namely, that it would override local zoning authority and allow 1,900 apartments not limited to Axon employees.