PHOENIX — Arizona voters will get to decide the fate of 11 measures this year at the ballot.

 Petitions for nine initiatives were turned in by the deadline of 5 p.m. Thursday, apparently with sufficient signatures to qualify for the Nov. 4 ballot.

 The Secretary of State’s Office will be sending random samples to the 15 county recorders to check the validity. Ultimately, constitutional changes require 230,047 valid signatures after tossing out those disqualified; changes in state law need 153,365.

 The last two were filed just Thursday: requiring a majority of registered voters to approve any tax hike at the ballot, an constitutionally barring race- or sex-based preferences in government programs.

 Two measured did not require signatures but were instead put directly on the ballot by lawmakers. One would constitutionally define marriage as between one man and one woman. The other, if approved, would pave the way for separate local elections to unify more than 70 elementary and high school districts into about 20 districts.

 There actually is likely to be an 12th measure.

 A special commission will meet later this year to recommend a pay hike for state legislators who now get $24,000 a year plus allowances. No pay hike can be effective without voter approval.

 In 2006 voters rejected a proposed $12,000 increase. The number of ballot measures this year compares sharply with the record 19 issues before voters two years ago.

 But there still are a wide variety of issues and choices for voters to make, ranging from higher taxes for transit and preserving state trust lands to questions about affirmative action programs and the rights of buyers of new homes.

Gay marriage

 Issue: Constitutionally define marriage as between one man and one woman.

 Reason: While Arizona law already says this, this is designed to prevent courts or future Legislatures from declaring gays have a right to wed.

 Major backers: Center for Arizona Policy, Arizona Catholic Conference. No donations so far.

 Likely opposition: Gay rights groups and others who contend no need for constitutional amendment

Payday loans

 Issue: Keep payday loan industry alive past 2010

 Reason: Law authorizing short-term, high-cost loans expires that year. Industry contends there is a need and is willing to make some changes in operation.

 Major backers: Arizona Community Financial Services, composed of payday lenders. Contributions so far total more than $2.9 million

 Likely opposition: Community groups, Service Employee International Union, United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Funding so far about $95,000.

Real estate tax

 Issue: Ban tax on transfer of real estate.

 Reason: There is no such tax now. But backers fear future efforts to broaden tax base to include real estate transfer tax.

 Major backers: Arizona Association of Realtors. Donations so far $1.4 million.

 Likely opposition: Unclear

New home warranty

 Issue: Require 10-year warranty on new homes.

 Reason: Current law has no warranty requirement. Also outgrowth of dispute between major financial backer and home builders.

 Major backers: Sheet Metal Workers International Association. Total so far about $360,000.

 Likely opposition: Home builders.

Employer sanctions

 Issue: Ease some provisions of employer sanctions law.

 Reason: Business groups contend new state law that took effect Jan. 1 is unfair and penalizes companies for innocent mistakes. Major backers: Wake Up Arizona, an organization of business owners.

 Likely opposition: Rep. Russell Pearce, architect of the state law.

Transit tax

 Issue: Impose 1-cent hike in state sales tax for 30 years, to 6.6 percent, to fund $42.6 billion transit improvements.

 Reason: Supporters say the current source of funds — gas taxes, vehicle registration fees and federal dollars — won’t be enough to meet needs of growing state.

 Major backers: Construction companies, many of whom get contracts for road and light rail construction. About $700,000 collected so far.

 Likely opposition: Goldwater Institute (tax hike not necessary), some legislators (too much for mass transit), Sierra Club (too little for mass transit).

State Trust land off limits

 Issue: Put 570,000 acres of state trust land off limits to development, allow communities to buy at appraised price instea of having to bid at auction.

 Reason: Current mandate to Land Department to get most money for trust lands requires sale or lease for development to highest bidder.

 Major backers: Nature Conservancy, former Democratic Party Chair Jim Pederson. About $800,000 so far.

 Likely opposition: Arizona School Boards Association fear of undermining funds for schools.

Future tax hikes need majority of voters approval

 Issue: Require majority of registered voters, not just those going to polls, to approve future tax hikes.

 Reason: Concern that state budget crunch and demands for specia programs will lead to ballot initiatives to hike taxes, just like this year’s road tax measure.

 Major backers: MJKL Enterprises which owns the Carl’s Jr. franchises in Arizona, TCAG Management Services (auto dealer Jim Click’s California corporation), Beer and Wine Distributors About $650,000.

 Likely opposition: Unclear. Possibly groups that might want to take tax measures to the ballot in the future for health care, other issues.

Bar preference on public contracts

 Issue: Constitutionally bar preference in public employment contracts, education based on race, sex, other factors.

 Reason: Backers seek end to affirmative action and other program that provide special consideration for minorities and women.

 Major backers: American Civil Rights Coalition, headed by Ward Connerly who got first version approved in California in 1996 Total funding so far about $850,000.

 Likely opposition: By All Means Necessary formed in Michigan to unsuccessfully battle 2006 measure there, American Federation o State, County and Municipal Employees.

Prohibit forced health insurance enrollment

 Issue: Prohibit forced enrollment in health insurance programs.

 Reason: Concern that future health care reforms will include systems that preclude patients from choosing own doctors or being forced to purchase health insurance.

 Major backers: Medical benefit firms, doctors, Kenneth Levy (New Jersey investment manager).

 Likely opposition: Groups that want to push single-payor health plans.

School consolidation

 Issue: Mandate local elections in more than 70 school districts to decide whether they want to consolidate into about 20.

 Reason: Proponents contend that larger districts have proportionately smaller administrative costs. Major backers: None identified yet, though some businesses tha are major taxpayers are expected to support it.

 Likely opposition: Board members in several affected schoo districts already are saying it would reduce local control.

Ballot issues that didn’t make the cut

 Among the petition drives that faltered and did not turn in signatures were:

 - Rolling back property taxes;

 - Rolling back property assessments;

 - Repealing laws allowing payday lenders to operate in Arizona;

 - Changing system of choosing legislative and congressional districts;

 - Imposing stricter version of employer sanctions law;

 - Requiring written approval of union members to use dues for political purposes;

 - Allowing illegal immigrants to be charged under state law a trespassers;

 - Prohibiting use of cell phones while driving unless motorist has hands-free device;

 - Setting up a system of ranked voting for elections.