Level campaign fields

Terin Walton-Rantz, Fairbanks

We are at a time of necessary change in our Alaska politics! Corrupt politicians are being held responsible for their actions, and residents are becoming more involved in their government. A wonderfully easy way to support this positive change is to vote yes on the Aug. 26 Primary Ballot Measure No. 3, "Bill Providing For Public Funding in Campaigns."

Although the title and measure were drafted by the lieutenant governor's office and may be a tad confusing to the reader, the movement has been driven by Alaskans for Clean Elections and truly exists to clean up Alaska politics.

Passing this measure into Alaska state law will level the playing field for candidates' campaigns, and make it possible for those with any amount of income to effectively run for office. This publicly funded program will be optional, and interested candidates will be required to help fund their campaign by gathering a certain number of signatures and $5 campaign contributions from voters in their area.

Special-interest donations will be eliminated for clean-elections candidates, who will then be more responsive and accountable to their constituents.

This is a proven process in our United States' political system, with seven states employing successful clean elections and public political financing: Arizona, Maine, North Carolina, New Mexico, Vermont, New Jersey and Connecticut. In fact, more than 80 percent of the 2006 candidates in Maine used these programs.

Please do not be scared of the term "publicly funded," as this program will cost the state of Alaska less than $9 per person per year - a small monetary amount compared to its immense value.

I encourage you to check out www.alaskansforcleanelections.org to learn more. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter, and I sincerely hope Alaskans show up in force to the polls on Aug. 26 to clean up our political system.