7/2/2008
Diane Benson endorses Clean Elections
"As a grassroots candidate with a history of running against the establishment; I'm well aware of the effect special interests can have on politics. This nation was founded on the principle that government should be by the people and for the people. For too long, special interests, lobbyists, and big business have controlled the political landscape in Alaska. It's time that we had less corporate representation and more Alaskan representation and Clean Elections are the perfect way to get there."
6/26/2008
Final Ballot Language Approved
The State of Alaska, Divisions of elections finalized the ballot language for the Clean Elections ballot measure
Ballot Measure No. 3: 07CASE - Bill Providing For Public Funding In Campaigns
This bill creates a voluntary program of public funding for state election campaigns. To qualify, candidates must collect a certain number of signatures and $5 campaign contributions from voters in the area in which the candidate is running for office. Qualified candidates that agree to limits for campaign fundraising and spending may receive campaign funding from the State of Alaska based on the office sought. A qualified candidate may receive state matching funds if the candidate is opposed by a candidate that does not take part in the program.
6/9/2008
Seniors Support Clean Elections
Read Vic Fisher's article online
Clean Elections, Ballot Measure 3, is endorsed by AARP and other senior groups. Constitutional founder, Vic Fisher's article is featured in June 2008 issue of Senior Voice.
6/5/2008
Connecticut's New Clean Elections System Unprecidented Participation
Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz said its estimated that 70 to 80 percent of candidates will participate in public financing this year, which is historic when compared to Maine and Arizona where the participation rate was about 30 percent in the first year. She said a federal survey a few years ago found that over time both Maine and Arizona experienced significant increases in the amount of candidates contesting races in both primaries and general elections. And voter participation in these two states has risen about 10 percent since public financing was enacted, Bysiewicz noted.
5/29/2008
Clean Elections featured in the Alaska Report
John Creed of the Alaska Report exposes the opposition forces against Clean Elections in Alaska. Read his entire commentary "Clean Elections Initiative Could Become Law in 2008, Then Vanish in 2010" at Alaska Report.
5/3/2008
Clean Elections Campaign Kickoff
The crowd that gathered at APU's Carr-Gottstein Center on the Alaska Pacific University campus included activists, former and current legislators, local officials and even more regular Alaskan citizens ready to take back state government. Some of the luminaries included former Gov. Wally Hickle, Vic Fisher, Pamela Jennings, Eric Croft, Berta Gardner, Jim Sykes, Ray Metcalf and many more.
Clean Elections will be on the August 26, 2008 ballot as Ballot Measure 3.
4/16/2008
Anchorage Assembly Passes Clean Elections Resolution
4/4/2008
Dueling initiatives - Clean elections gets the call
Clean elections gets the call Published: April 4th, 2008 12:54 AM
At least they won't be on the same ballot. The Clean Elections Initiative, which Alaska voters will decide on in August, would provide public financing for state-level political candidates. The goal is to take the corrupting and limiting influence of big money out of campaigns, open elective office to more people and allow elected state officials to spend less time dialing for dollars and more time doing their jobs. The Anti-Corruption Initiative, which Alaska voters would decide on in August 2010 if approved by the Division of Elections, would prohibit government contractors from contributing to political campaigns and hiring legislators or their staffers -- or even former legislators and aides who have been out of office less than two years. No conflict there. The rub is that the Anti-Corruption Initiative also prohibits spending any public money on any campaign, lobbying or partisan purpose. That means no public financing for political candidates, no matter how fair the system. That puts the Anti-Corruption Initiative squarely at odds with the Clean Elections Initiative, and that's a mistake. "We just believe strongly that taxpayer dollars should not be spent ... for campaigning and lobbying," Bob Adney, executive director of the Committee to Stop the Corruption, says. That suits the Libertarian, limited-government philosophy of many of the initiative's backers, including former state Rep. Dick Randolph. But it slams the door on a system that promises to pre-empt corruption by gutting special-interest influence over candidates, so they are beholden not to a few prime financial backers or industries but to all their constituents. Alaskans should have no objections to the rest of the anti-corruption initiative. As Mr. Adney said, the goal is to "separate the relationship between government contractors and politicians." If we can break up the sometimes much-too-cozy relationship between lobbyists, lawmakers and certain industries in Alaska, we'll be better off. An Anti-Corruption Initiative limited to those provisions would be well worth airing out. But Mr. Adney says it's unlikely his committee would change the ban on public financing even if voters approved public financing in 2008, because his group needs to keep faith with more than 36,000 petition signers. We hope his committee is open to change, because the Clean Elections Initiative is well-vetted and based on successful public-financing programs in Arizona, Maine and other states. For candidates, it's a voluntary program that preserves the cherished Libertarian notion of individual choice. No candidate would be forced to accept public financing, but any candidate with at least a modest base of serious support could run on more than a shoestring and a prayer. That means voters would have a wider range of choices. If Alaskans passed the Clean Elections Initiative in August 2008, they could find themselves being asked to repeal it in 2010 in the Anti-Corruption Initiative, before clean elections really had a chance to succeed or fail in Alaska. That makes no sense. The Clean Elections Initiative gives us a fighting chance to improve the way we do electoral business in Alaska. The Anti-Corruption Initiative's ban on public financing works against that. Come August, let's vote for the anti-corruption force of Clean Elections. BOTTOM LINE: "Anti-corruption" initiative is only half-right. Clean Elections initiative is the way to go.
Anchorage Daily News Editorial April 4, 2008
3/28/2008
Video:
View on PBS.org
3/28/2008
PBS NOW Taking the Initiative 9/2006
View on PBS.org
3/28/2008
Video: Oil, Politics & Bribes 11/2007
PBS NOW shines a bright light on the scandalous connection between VECO Corporation, an Alaska-based oil services company, and Alaska's old-boy Republican network
3/28/2008
Clean Elections on August 26th Primary Ballot!
3/9/2008
Clean Elections Resolution Postponed until 3/18/09 Meeting
The Clean Elections Resolution before the Anchorage Assembly was not acted upon and should appear on the March 18th Agenda. All those wishing to be heard shouldn't hold their breath. It appears the Anchorage Assembly won't vote on this until after the Municipal Elections on April 1st. Want action? Contact your Assembly Representative and ask them whether they support Clean Elections in Alaska...and why or why not. See the resolution at: http://www.muni.org/iceimages/clerk1/AR2007300_TRAINI_TESCHE_CleanElectionssystem.pdf
2/25/2008
Anchorage Assembly Votes on Clean Elections
This Tuesday, February 26th, the Anchorage Assembly will be voting on a resolution - AR 2007-300 "Supporting Adoption of a Clean Elections System in Alaska" - sponsored by Assembly Members Traini and Tesche.
The resolution is listed on the regular agenda. I don't know that we'll be able to determine the time frame for you other than between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. You may call me on my cell, 230-5617, and I'll call you back (my ringer will be off in Assembly Changers) to let you know my best guess when the resolution will come up.
I hope you'll come out and speak in favor of this resolution. Please don't let the uncertain time frame dissuade you - our Assembly needs to know how strong support is for Clean Elections. Anchorage Resolution
1/14/2008
Petition Submitted
Alaskans For Clean Elections submitted our petition books to the State of Alaska Division of Eletions at 12 Noon, January 14, 2008. This is a great success and the first step to clean elections for our state. Keep this website bookmarked for updates and news as we move forward to getting the initiative passed into law!
11/19/2007
New Press Clippings
"Changing the Bottom Line" By John D. Lyle, Guest Editorial, The Ester Republic, November 13, 2007
11/19/2007
VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR CLEAN ELECTIONS INITIATIVE
Anchorage: Alaskans for Clean Elections (ACE) is seeking volunteers statewide to collect signatures. In order to place the Clean Elections citizens initiative before Alaskans on the 2008 ballot, 23,831 verified signatures must be submitted to the Alaska Division of Elections before the start of the 2008 Alaska Legislature. The group is working to collect 40,000 signatures before December 31, 2007. Alaska residents interested in paid efforts are also encouraged to call. ###
CONTACT: Michelle Meyer, Campaign Manager 907-230-5617 Alaskans for Clean Elections P.O. Box 200842 Anchorage, AK 99520
www.alaskansforcleanelections.org
8/13/2007
City Council of Homer Passes Clean Elections Resolution.
City Council of Homer, Alaska urges Governor Sarah Palin and the Alaska State Legislature to expeditiously implement a Clean Elections system in Alaska. Read Resolution 07-85 online
8/6/2007
Bristol Bay Borough Passes Resolution of Support
The Bristol Bay Borough unanimously passes Resolution of Support for Clean Elections in Alaska. Read Resolution No. 2007-11 online (PDF)
8/21/2007
Lake and Peninsula Borough Resolution of Support
The Alaska Lake and Peninsula Borough passes resolution in support of Clean Elections. Read Resolution No. 07-07 in support of Clean Elections in Alaska.(PDF)
9/28/2007
The Alaska Clean Elections Process
Step-by-step flow chart describing how the Clean Elections Process will work for Alaska. Clean Elections Flow Chart
6/26/2007
Sitka Supports Clean Elections
The City and Borough of Sitka passes Resolution 2007-14 urging the State of Alaska to pass a Clean Election system. Read the : full resolution online
7/17/2007
It's about time! For Clean Elections in Alaska
At the beautiful home of Toni & Chancy Croft, 2727 McColie Ave. Good food, great wine and a campain process we can trust in again!
Thursday, July 19th 5:30 to 8:30 PM
Join your hosts: Jane Angvik, Berta Gardner, Karen Compton, Sam Cotten, Eric Croft, David Cuddy, Vic Fischer, Cliff Groh Jr., Walter Hickel, Tony Knowles, Kate Troll and Bill Wielechowski.
7/10/2007
You're invited to a special fundraising event
You are invited to a special fundraising event in Suite 604 of the Baranof Hotel. Join us in the infamous "Veco" Suite and help bring clean elections to Alaska.
Download Invitation (PDF)