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Citizens Cle
Bulletin
Volume 1, Quarter 1

January 2004

Inside this issue:
Message from the 2003
Chair

1

The Act & the Commission

2

Commission News

2

What’s New on the
Website

2

New Hire!

3

Proposed Rule Changes

3

Topic of the Quarter

4

Commission Workshops

4

Recent Press Releases

5

Important Dates

6

Officeholder Expenses

6

Message from the 2003 Chair
Welcome to the Citizens Clean Elections Commission
Bulletin.
This is another of the Commission’s
initiatives to carry out its mission of voter education, a
very important part of the duties directed by the Act.
As I near the end of my five-year term, I reflect upon
the Commission’s development.
I was the first
appointment to the Commission; it took seven months
in 1999 for the full Commission to be appointed, space
rented and the first staff member to be employed. The
pace has been picking up ever since. The original goals
– (1) make the system work as well as possible, (2) hire
a small, industrious staff able and willing to help both
participating and nonparticipating candidates navigate
the Act’s requirements, and (3) encourage constructive
public policy debate and good stewardship of public
funds – have met with success beyond our
expectations. That said, however, and as important as
campaign finance is, I have become even more
convinced than ever before that nothing is more
important than citizens doing the work of citizenship –
registering, listening, reading, thinking, and voting.
The money is clean; voters still must judge the
candidates.
Sincerely,
L. Gene Lemon, 2003 Chair

State of Arizona
Citizens Clean Elections Commission

This Bulletin is intended to be an informational tool used to update parties
regarding the Commissions’ projects and developments. If you have further
questions, feel free to call the Commission directly and speak with any staff
member at 1-602-364-3477 or toll free at 1-877-631-8891. As a state agency, we
are here to serve you.

Contact Information:
1616 W. Adams, Suite 110
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 364-3477
(602) 364-3487, fax
1-877-631-8891, toll free

Page 2

Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin
January 2004

The Act and the Commission
The Citizens Clean Elections Act is
a campaign finance reform
measure that was initiated by
Arizona citizens and passed by
voters in 1998. The Act creates a
new campaign financing system
that provides full public funding
to qualified candidates who agree
to abide by the Act and
Commission rules. The 2003-2004
election cycle will be the third
e le c ti o n se a so n i n w hi c h
candidates may run a political
campaign under the Act.

Governed by the laws of the State
of Arizona, the CCEC has been
created to implement and enforce
campaign finance laws. The Act
allows the CCEC to provide
procedures for the inspection of a
c a n d i d a te ’ s b a n k a c c o u n t ,
campaign
finance reports and
financial records relating to the
candidate’s campaign.
To qualify
voluntary

candidates” adhere to spending
and contribution limits and gather
$5 qualifying contributions from
district constituents who are
registered voters.
Participating candidates also agree
to attend required debates.

for funding, the
“participating

Term Ending for the First Chair of the Commission
As Chair Lemon’s term comes to an end in January of 2004, the Commissioners and staff would like to
thank him for all of his hard work and dedication over the last five years.
Governor Jane Dee Hull appointed Phoenix resident Gene Lemon to the Citizens Clean Elections Commission
in 1999 for a term that will expire January 31, 2004. Mr. Lemon served as the first Chair of the Commission,
first elected by the Commissioners in 1999, and continued to serve as the Chair after being elected by the
Commissioners for calendar-years 2000, 2001 and 2003.

Check Out Our Website!
Please visit the Citizens Clean Elections Commission website at www.ccec.state.az.us
to view brand new public speaking engagements, the revised press kit, information
regarding officeholder expenses and the helpful participating candidate and
nonparticipating candidate timelines.

www.ccec.state.az.us

As efforts continue to better serve the public, the Commission would like interested
parties to sign up to receive an the Commission Bulletin and other important
Commission information.
To sign up, simply e-mail the Commission’s Voter
Education Manager, at autumn.southard@ccec.state.az.us. If you would like specific
information, include your chosen topic in the body of the e-mail.
You will
automatically be signed up to receive the Commission Bulletin! When you begin
receiving e-mail updates, you will always be given the opportunity to unsubscribe from
Commission mailing lists, if you are no longer interested in receiving Commission
information. If you have questions, feel free to contact Voter Education Manager,
Autumn Southard, at (602) 364-3477 extension 210.

Page 3

Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin
January 2004

Deputy
Director
Citizens Clean Elections Commission’s (CCEC)
Executive Director Colleen Connor announced the
hiring of Eric Gorsegner as the Commission’s
deputy director. The hiring became effective on
Oct. 27, 2003.
Gorsegner joined the CCEC after serving as the
deputy chief of staff to outgoing Phoenix Mayor
Skip Rimsza for the past three years.
He
previously served for nine years as a senior
governmental relations representative for the Salt
River Project, specializing in local government
relations.
In addition, Gorsegner’s resume
includes experience as a six-month loaned
executive to the Mayor of Phoenix in 1997-98, five
years as the director of government relations for
the Phoenix Association of Realtors, and three
years at the Arizona Department of Commerce.
He
served
the
department
in
various
roles,including working as a legislative liaison,
assistant to the deputy director and as a
community development block grant specialist.
Gorsegner has a B.A. degree in Political Science
from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and
a Masters in Public Administration from ASU.

Proposed Rule
Changes
The Commission approved numerous rule
changes during a public meeting on November 18,
2003.
The sixty-day public comment period
began on November 19, 2003 and will end on
January 20, 2004.
At the January 28, 2004
meeting, the Commission will consider public
comment.
The proposed rule changes effect the following:
•

Definitions

•

Certification as a participating candidate

•

Use of public funds

•

Inaugural expenses

•

Reporting requirements

•

Complaint processing

•

Calculation of matching funds

•

Enforcement proceedings

•

Commission sponsored debates

•

Audits

To view the rule changes in their entirety, please
visit the Heads Up! section of the Commission’s
website at www.ccec.state.az.us.
The Act, Rules & Policies Manual can also be
found on the Commission’s website, in the
publications section.

Page 4

Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin
January 2004

*Topic of the Quarter*
What is the Qualifying Period?
Participating candidates are required to receive $5 qualifying contributions during the Qualifying Period (ending August
19, 2004) only, from a minimum amount of registered voters within the candidate’s legislative district (for participating
legislative candidates) or statewide (for participating corporation commission candidates).
The number of contributions depends on the office sought. Participating candidates for the office of Corporation
Commission must collect 1,575 valid $5 qualifying contributions from registered voters throughout the state. This
amounts to $7,875.
Contributions may be unsolicited or solicited by someone who is not compensated to collect the qualifying contributions.
If an unsolicited contribution is received, the candidate may sign the reporting form as the solicitor.
Qualifying contributions may be received by cash, check or money order. If made by check, the check must be made
payable to the candidate’s campaign account and in the exact $5 amount. If a married couple contributes a $10 check,
BOTH parties must sign the check for it to be considered two valid qualifying contributions, and each spouse must sign
and date a three-part form (one check, two forms). Contributors may be given nothing of value in exchange for their
contribution.

Attend a Commission Workshop to Learn More About the Act!
In October 2003, the Commission began
holding workshops in Phoenix, Flagstaff,
Tucson and Kingman to train candidates
and the public about the Act.
The
workshops contain general information
about the Act as well as more detailed
information regarding Clean Elections
rules and campaign finance laws.
Questions will be accepted throughout
the session and informational materials
will be handed out to all attendees. The
workshops will run until April 2004.
The workshops are led by Rebecca
Hecksel, Campaign Finance Analyst and
Autumn Southard, Voter Education
Manager.
**Please RSVP to the CCEC no later
than 5 business days before the
workshop that you are interested in
attending.**
Any person with a
disability may request a reasonable
accommodation, such as a sign language
interpreter, by contacting the CCEC at
(602) 364-3477. Requests should be
made as early as possible to allow time
to arrange accommodations.**

tions
Dates, Times & Loca
February 25, 2004
Time:
6:00pm
Location:
Phoenix, CCEC
conference rm., 1616 W. Adams

January 21, 2004
Time:
6:00pm
Location:
Flagstaff, NAU,
Rm. #107 in Building #98B,
San Francisco St.
January 28, 2004
Time:
6:00pm
Location:
Phoenix, CCEC
conference rm.,
1616 W. Adams
February 18, 2004
Time:
6:00pm
Location:
Kingman, Elks
Lodge, 900 Gates Ave.

March 10, 2004
Time:
6:00pm
Location:
Tucson, Mayor and
Council Chambers, 255 West
Alameda
March 17, 2004
Time:
6:00pm
Location:
Flagstaff, NAU,
Rm. #107 in Building #98B,
San Francisco St.
March 24, 2004
Time:
6:00pm
Location:
Phoenix, CCEC
conference rm., 1616 W. Adams

Page 5

The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin
January 2004

Recent Press Releases
*November 24, 2003

December 18, 2003

Sec. of State Brewer Begins Appointment Process for
Clean Elections Seat

Citizens Clean Elections Commission
Unanimously Elects a New Chair

Potential candidates for new Commissioner must meet strict
criteria

Commissioner David McKay to Begin
Term as Chair in January 2004

PHOENIX – Secretary of State Jan Brewer today announced the start of
the nomination process to appoint the next Clean Election
Commissioner. The term for this seat is scheduled to begin on
February 1, 2004 and expire on January 31, 2009.

PHOENIX -- On December 16, 2003 at the
monthly meeting of the Citizens Clean
Elections Commission, the Commission
unanimously elected Commissioner David
McKay, a Republican from Flagstaff, to lead
the Commission as the next Chair. Mr. McKay
will begin his term as Chair on January 1,
2004. Current Chair L. Gene Lemon’s term as
Commissioner will expire on January 31, 2004.

“It is my sincere hope that we can find a qualified and responsible
candidate who will work hard and provide loyal service on behalf of
the citizens of Arizona,” stated Secretary Brewer, “I am very interested
in candidates who can bring fairness and consistency to this process.”
The candidates for Commissioner must meet the following criteria per
Arizona Revised Statute:

•
•
•
•

•
•

Shall not be a member of the Democratic Party;
Shall have been registered to vote continuously recorded for at
least five years immediately preceding appointment with the same
political party or as an independent;
Shall be committed to enforcing the Act in an honest, independent
and impartial fashion and to seek to uphold public confidence in
the integrity of the electoral system;
Shall be a qualified elector who has not, in the previous five years
in the state, been appointed to, been elected to, or run for any
public office, including precinct committeeman, or served as an
officer of a political party;
No commissioner, during his or her tenure or for three years
thereafter, shall seek or hold any other public office, serve as an
officer of a political party;
No commissioner, during his or her tenure or for three years
thereafter, shall seek or hold any other public office, serve as an
officer of any political committee, or employ or be employed as a
lobbyist.

Qualified individuals who are interested in being appointed to serve on
the Commission can get the appropriate forms and application
materials directly from the Citizens Clean Election Commission by calling (602) 364-3477, or by e-mail at www.ccec.state.az.us. Applications
should be submitted to the Commission by no later than December 31,
2003.
-30*Written & released by Kevin Tyne, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary
of State’s Office.

Governor Jane Dee Hull appointed Dave McKay
to the Citizens Clean Elections Commission in
2000 for a term that will expire in 2005. Mr.
McKay received his bachelor’s and master’s
degrees from Northern Arizona University. He
retired after 35 years with the Flagstaff
Unified School District, where he served as
principal of Thomas Knoles Elementary School
(1987-1998);
principal
of
Christensen
Elementary School (1982-1987); assistant
principal of Christensen and Killip Elementary
Schools (1976-1982); title III coordinator for
Flagstaff Public Schools (1973-1976); assistant
principal for Mt. Elden Elementary School
(Killip) (1968-1973); guidance counselor for
Flagstaff Elementary Schools (1966-1968); and
science teacher for Flagstaff Junior High
School (1963-1966).
Mr. McKay founded Big Brothers of Flagstaff in
1968 and has served as executive director
since. He also has served as a member of the
Arizona School Administrators (1982-1997)
and currently is a member of the investigative
interview committee for the State Dental
Board.
-30-

Page 6

The Citizens Clean Elections Commision Bulletin
January 2004

Important Dates!
August 1, 2003: Qualifying
Period began for Participating
Corp. Commission Candidates

January 1, 2004: Qualifying
Period began for Participating
Legislative Candidates

Officeholder Expenses Rule
Current officeholders are allowed to raise and
spend money to perform officeholder related
expenses.

Officeholder Expense Account

Spending Limits

Prior to April 30 of the election year for that office,
an elected official may raise or spend money to
defray the expense of performing officeholder
duties.

Officeholder Expenses Limits

Money raised or spent for officeholder expenses shall
be reported under campaign finance reporting
requirements as follows:
• The officeholder shall establish an account for
officeholder expenses, which shall be separate from
any candidate campaign account.
• The account shall be designated on the statement of
organization as “Officeholder Expense Account”.
• Any money remaining in the officeholder expense
account after April 30 of an election year shall
either not be spent for the remainder of the
calendar year, or shall be remitted to the clean
elections fund.

Legislature

$5,660

Governor

$88,280

Permissible Expenditures

Secretary of State

$45,280

The money in the officeholder expense account
CANNOT be used for direct campaign purposes.

Attorney General

$45,280

Treasurer

$22,640

Superintendent of Public
Instruction

$22,640

Corporation Commission

$22,640

Mine Inspector

$11,320

Money in the officeholder expense account shall not be
used for direct campaign purposes or in connection
with the officeholder’s future campaign for elective
office.
Permissible uses of the money in the officeholder
expense account include:
• Expenditures for office equipment and supplies.
• Expenditures for work-related travel.
• Donations
to
tax-exempt
charitable
organizations.
• Expenditures to meet or communicate with
constituents.

ns
Citizens Clean Electio
Commission Bulletin
Volume 1, Quarter 1

January 2004

1616 W. Adams, Suite 110
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Thank you very much for tak
ing the
time to read our very first
Bulletin!
The Bulletin will be publish
ed once a
quarter and will be posted
on the
Commission’s website.

(602) 364-3477
(602) 364-3487, fax
1-877-631-8891, toll free

Visit us on the Web!
www.ccec.state.az.us

2004 First Quarter Commission Meeting Schedule
Citizens Clean Elections Commission
Commissioners
David G. McKay, Chair

Upcoming Meetings
January

L. Gene Lemon
Kathleen S. Detrick

Wednesday, 1/28/04 9:30am

Ermila Jolley
Marcia Busching

February

Commission meetings are held monthly in the Citizens
Clean Elections Commission conference room at 1616
W. Adams in Phoenix.

Tuesday, 2/24/04 9:30am

Please contact the Commission or check the
Commission website, www.ccec.state.az.us to confirm
meeting dates and times.

March

The Commission meeting minutes and agendas are
available free of charge on the Commission website.
Additionally, past minutes and agendas are posted on
the website.

Tuesday, 3/30/04 9:30am