Bill Providing For Public Funding in Campaigns

8/11/2008 Rally in front of Courthouse

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT

THE ALASKA CLEAN ELECTIONS ACT enables Alaskans to take back control of our government from big money and special interests. Ongoing FBI investigations and the VECO scandal indicate a serious need to return accountability to our government. Political corruption has cost Alaskans billions in lost revenues, and even more in lost opportunities. Clean Elections effectively removes big money and special interests from Alaska politics and allows critical issues to get the attention they deserve.
Vote Yes on Measure 3!

WHAT CLEAN ELECTIONS DOES:

Clean Elections levels the political playing field by providing a qualifying candidate enough campaign money to run a competitive race. Spending limits are strictly enforced to keep campaigns honest.

Clean Elections empowers Alaskans to hold elected leaders more accountable because Clean Election candidates receive only small $5 contributions from voters in their district. Once elected, Clean Election legislators are not beholden to any special interest. They are free to make decisions that benefit ALL ALASKANS.

Clean Elections allows candidates to focus on voters and ideas, instead of lobbyists and big money. Clean Elections frees elected leaders from a flawed system that values people with money over regular voters.

Clean Elections eliminates the incentive to give away billions of dollars in tax breaks and political paybacks. Clean Elections will cost the State less than $9/person per year. Money saved can go toward critical needs such as schools, affordable energy, roads and our future.

Clean Elections has proven successful in seven other states. 4 out of 5 voters support the Clean Elections systems in Arizona and Maine. In 2004 more than 80% of legislative candidates in Maine and 56% of candidates in Arizona ran using Clean Election funds.

HOW CLEAN ELECTIONS WORKS:

Clean Elections is completely voluntary. Candidates must show a broad base of support by collecting a specified number of signatures with $5 contributions from voters in their district. When they pledge to uphold strict fundraising limits, they qualify for enough money to run a viable campaign. Clean Election candidates also may receive matching funds if outspent by an opponent funded with private contributions.

ALASKANS MUST DECIDE:
As long as politicians must raise huge sums of private money to get elected, corruption will continue. Politicians inevitably serve those who finance their campaigns. If we fund elections, they will serve us; if we don't, many will continue to serve special interests. Clean Elections is a proven solution that will better serve all Alaskans for generations. Visit www.alaskansforcleanelections.org for more information.

The following encourage your YES vote:

Constitutional father Vic Fischer
Constitutional father George Rogers
Former Governor Walter Hickel
Former Governor Tony Knowles
Former Lt. Governor Lowell Thomas, Jr.
Former State Senator Arliss Sturgulewski
Juneau Mayor and former AG Bruce Botelho
Fairbanks Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker
Former Attorney General John Havelock
AARP
Alaska Womens Political Caucus
Anchorage Municipal Assembly
City & Borough of Sitka
City & Borough of Homer
City of Wrangell
Bristol Bay Borough
Haines Borough
Lake & Peninsula Borough

Tim June
Chair, Alaskans for Clean Elections

The statement printed on this page is the opinion of the author(s) and is presented as submitted to the Division of Elections.