ission m m o C s n io t c le E n a Citizens Cle Bulletin Volume 1, Quarter 3 July 2004 Message from the Chair Inside this issue: Message from the Chair 1 The Act & the Commission 2 Commission News 2 What’s New on the Website 2 Candidate Debates 3 Filing a Complaint 3 Participating Candidate Update 4 General Election Candidate Statement Pamphlets 4 Recent News 5 Important Dates 6 Topic of the Quarter 6 Commission Meeting Schedule 7 Welcome to the third quarter Citizens Clean Elections Commission (Commission) Bulletin. The Commission office has been bustling with activity related to the 2003-2004 election cycle. The staff is engaged in many projects, including funding candidates; collecting statements for inclusion in the 2004 Primary & General Election Candidate Statement Pamphlets, which will be mailed to over 3 million households statewide; and organizing debates to be held for Arizona Corporation Commission, State Senate and State House candidates. These projects have given the Commission the opportunity to work with various organizations such as Sun Sounds of Arizona, Kids Voting Arizona, Arizona Students’ Association, Arizona State University, Children’s Action Alliance, Cartwright Education Association and various counties and chambers. Having been given the opportunity to work with these various organizations has provided the Commission with the ability to expand its educational reach. The Commission hopes that through these efforts, more citizens will become aware of the Clean Elections Act and, as a result, choose to become involved in the political process. The Commission will continue its efforts to provide Arizona citizens with information about how their voices can be heard in our state government. Sincerely, David G. McKay, 2004 Chair 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. State of Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission 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 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin July 2004 The Act and the Commission The Citizens Clean Elections Act (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 election season in which candidates may run a political campaign under the Act. Governed by the laws of the State of Arizona, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission (Commission) has been created to implement and enforce campaign finance laws and to promote voter education through candidate debates and a Candidate Statement Pamphlet. The Act allows the C om m i ss i on to pr ovi d e procedures for the inspection of a candidate’s bank account, campaign finance reports and financial records relating to the candidate’s campaign. To qualify for funding, the voluntary “participating candidates” must 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. Welcome The Commission would like to welcome its newest contractor, Off Madison Ave. Off Madison Ave. has been contracted to assist the Commission with the voter education plan. The sole purpose of this plan is to educate and communicate information about how the Act works, requirements for candidates and relevant information to voters and candidates regarding how the Act relates to them and their participation in the electoral process. Off Madison Ave. is based out of Tempe and the term of the contract is for one year with the option for the Commission to renew for four additional years. Check out our Website and Sign up Now! www.ccec.state.az.us Please visit the Citizens Clean Elections Commission website at www.ccec.state.az.us to view the list of certified candidates, Primary Candidate Statement Pamphlet, list of debate sponsors & schedules and candidates who have received primary election funding. If you have questions, feel free to contact Voter Education Manager, Autumn Southard, at (602) 364-3477, extension 210. Page 3 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin July 2004 Candidate Debates Filing a Complaint Debates are an effective way to inform and involve voters in the political process. The Commission has contracted with nonpartisan sponsors to hold a debate prior to the primary and general elections unless there is no participating candidate in the election for a particular office or a participating candidate has no opposition for a particular office. ⇒ A complaint must be signed and Candidates Eligible to Participate: In the primary election, the primary election debate shall be as follows: • • According to political party affiliation of candidates, recognized on the official ballot, where at least one of the candidates is a participating candidate, and Only when party primary candidates are opposed in the election for the political party’s nomination. The Commission’s debate Sponsors shall: Invite all candidates, participating candidates and nonparticipating candidates, who will appear on the primary or general election ballot to participate in the debate for the district or statewide office. Candidates Ineligible to Participate: The following candidates will not be invited to participate in debates as follows: • In the primary election, write-in candidates for the primary election, independent candidates, no party affiliation or unrecognized party candidates. • In the general election, write-in candidates. Candidates may not distribute materials in the debate room. Campaign signs, brochures, and materials shall be distributed outside the room in which the debate is held. Candidates may have papers, notes or writing utensils during the debate but, they may not use any other “props”. Please go to www.ccec.state.az.us for a continuously updated schedule of debates. notarized. The Commission will not accept anonymous complaints. ⇒ The complainant and the respondent will be notified by the Commission in writing at each step of the complaint process. ⇒ The respondent has 5 days to provide the Commission response. with a written ⇒ The Executive Director may dismiss a complaint without it going before the Commission if there is a lack of evidence of a violation. ⇒ A respondent may enter into a settlement agreement with the Commission at any time during the complaint process. Once the settlement agreement has been signed and the terms have been met, the complaint will terminate. ⇒ A respondent who wants to be represented by legal counsel must inform the Commission by sending a statement of designation of counsel (provided by the attorney). All communication will then be conducted solely with the counsel, unless otherwise authorized by the respondent. ⇒ If the Commission finds no Reason to Believe a violation has occurred, the complainant has the right to bring a civil action in Superior Court in accordance with A.R.S. § 16-957(C). ⇒ If the Commission finds Probable Cause to Believe a violation has occurred, the respondent has the right to appeal the Commission’s decision with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Page 4 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin July 2004 Participating Candidate Update As of June 30, 2004, 120 candidates have been certified as participating candidates. Out of those 120 candidates, 21 have qualified and received funding. General Election Candidate Statement Pamphlets As mandated by the Clean Elections Act, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission (Commission) will produce General Election Candidate Statement Pamphlets for the 2004 elections. The Commission will produce and mail candidate statement pamphlets to every household in Arizona containing a registered voter before the start of early voting for the general election. The Commission will post the pamphlet on the Commission’s website at www.ccec.state.az.us as well as make the pamphlet available at public locations such as libraries and chambers of commerce. The candidate statement pamphlet is a nonpartisan, comprehensive source of information for Arizona voters. Participating and nonparticipating candidates may supply the Commission with a statement for inclusion in the pamphlet. All candidates who will appear on the general election ballot may submit a statement by the deadline. The pamphlets will include the office in which the candidate is running, as well as the candidate’s name, party affiliation, funding source, website and statement. Candidates are allowed to submit separate statements for the primary and general election pamphlets. Deadline: The Commission will not accept late submissions for inclusion in the pamphlet. General election statements, verification forms and photographs shall be submitted no later than 5:00pm on July 27, 2004. Statements: The 2004 pamphlets will include statements of 200 words in length. New statements will be accepted for the general election pamphlet. If you submit a statement for the primary election pamphlet and do not submit a new statement for the general election pamphlet, your statement from the primary election pamphlet will be used for the general election pamphlet. The Commission will only accept statements electronically through the Commission’s website. Statements that exceed the allotted 200 words will be not be accepted. You may submit a statement without submitting a photograph or vice versa. Photographs: The 2004 pamphlets will include photographs of candidates. Candidates can submit digital photos through the Commission website, by e-mail or candidates can make an appointment to have a digital photo taken at Tieken/Moret’s office. Tieken/Moret is the graphic design firm that has contracted with the Commission to assist in the design and format of the pamphlets. The Commission will accept digital photos only. Submit the statement and photo online at www.ccec.state.az.us. Page 5 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin July 2004 Recent News 2004 Candidate Statement Pamphlet Cover Design Contest Winners Chosen! The Clean Elections Commission would like to congratulate the winners of the 2004 Candidate Statement Pamphlet Cover Design Contest. This was the very first time the Commission conducted a contest to receive cover designs for the pamphlets that are mailed out to every household, in Arizona, with a registered voter prior to the primary and general elections. The total amount of pamphlets mailed out during the election cycle is approximately 3 million. The theme of the contest was “Take Pride in America and Vote.” There were over 170 entries from junior and senior high students all over Arizona. Eight semi-finalists were chosen and of those eight semi-finalists, two were chosen as the cover design winners for the primary and general election pamphlets. The winner for the primary pamphlet was David Holt, who was 17 years of age and in 12th grade at Arcadia High School in Phoenix during the time of the sub-mission. The winner for the general pamphlet was Rachael Holzmann who was also 17 years of age and in 11th grade at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley during the time of the submission. We would like to congratulate our winners and thank all participants for their entries. If you would like to view the winners’ cover designs, please visit our website at www.ccec.state.az.us. Schedule of Primary Debates, by District The following districts will NOT have a 2004 primary election debate: 1, 5, 10, 14, 17, 19, 22, 26, 29 Office Date & Time Location Corp. Comm., Term ending 2007, Republicans 7/13/04, 3:00pm Univ. of Advancing Technology Auditorium, Tempe Dist. 2, House Democrats 7/23/04, 6:00pm Flagstaff City Council Chambers, Flagstaff Dist. 3, Senate & House Republicans 7/28/04, 6:00pm Mohave Community College, Bullhead City Dist. 4, Senate & House Republicans 8/2/04, 6:00pm Sun City West Dist. 6, House Republicans 7/29/04, 7:00pm Barry Goldwater High School, Phoenix Dist. 7, House Republicans 8/3/04, 5:00pm Carefree Resorts & Villas, Carefree Dist. 8, Senate & House Republicans 8/4/04, 6:00pm Kerr Cultural Center Studio, Tempe Dist. 9, House Republicans 7/16/04, 6:00pm Ironwood High School, Glendale Dist. 11, House Republicans 8/4/04, 7:00pm Madison School District Board Room, Phoenix Dist. 12, House Republicans 7/22/04, 7:00pm Estrella Mountain Community College, Avondale Dist. 13, House Democrats 8/5/04, 7:00pm Epworth Methodist Church, Phoenix Dist. 15, House Democrats 8/10/04, 6:00pm Viad Tower, Phoenix Dist. 16, House Democrats 7/13/04, 6:00pm ASU Downtown Center, Phoenix Dist. 18, House Republicans 7/19/04, 6:00pm Westwood High School, Mesa Dist. 20, Senate & House Republicans 8/4/04, 6:00pm ASML Training Facility—ASU Research Park, Tempe Dist. 21, House Republicans 7/15/04, 7:00pm Chandler/Gilbert Community College, Chandler Dist. 23, Senate & House Democrats 7/9/04, 6:00pm Emergency Operations Center, Florence Dist. 24, House Democrats 7/19/04, 6:30pm Yuma County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, Yuma Dist. 25, House Democrats / 7/15/04, 7:00pm / 8:15pm House Republicans Cochise College Benson Center, Sierra Vista Dist. 27, Senate Democrats 7/21/04, 6:00pm Pima Community College Theater, Tucson Dist. 28, House Democrats 8/2/04, 6:00pm Catalina High School, Tucson Dist. 30, House Republicans 8/2/04, 6:00pm Green Valley Recreation, Green Valley For specific addresses and sponsor names, please visit our website at http://www.ccec.state.az.us/ ccecscr/debates.asp** Page 6 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin July 2004 Important Dates! July 27, 2004: Statements and photos due for inclusion in the Candidate Statement Pamphlet August 19, 2004: Deadline to submit Application to Become a Participating Candidate. August 26, 2004: Pre-Primary Original Campaign Finance Report is due August 26, 2004: Applications for Funding and $5 Qualifying Contributions are due *Topic of the Quarter* Applying for Citizens Clean Elections Commission Funding Once a candidate has received the required number of qualifying contributions, the candidate may apply for Commission funding with the Secretary of State’s Office no later than August 26, 2004. Procedure to Apply for Funding To apply for funding, the candidate must file the following items with the Secretary of State’s Office: • “Participating Candidate’s Application to Receive Funds and Qualifying Contributions Report” (Form available on the Commission website). If the candidate is in a one-partydominant district and chooses to reallocate his or her funding, the designated box should be marked on this form. • Printed list of $5 qualifying contributors. • ALL of the original qualifying contribution slips. • A check from the candidate’s campaign account for the total amount of the $5 qualifying contributions being submitted, made payable to the “Clean Elections Fund.” • A campaign finance report, filed electronically, reporting all $5 qualifying contributions being submitted. Random Sample After the candidate applies for funding, the Secretary of State’s Office selects a random sample of 5% of the qualifying contributions forms. The Secretary of State’s Office then sends the random sample to the designated county recorder. After the county recorder has verified the random sample of the candidate’s qualifying contribution forms, the candidate is approved for funding if the candidate has the minimum number of qualifying contributions required. The results from the random sample will be received within 10 business days. ns Citizens Clean Electio Commission Bulletin Volume 1, Quarter 3 July 2004 1616 W. Adams, Suite 110 Phoenix, AZ 85007 Thank you very much for tak ing the time to read our third quarte r Bulletin! The Bulletin is publish ed once a quarter and is 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 Second Quarter Commission Meeting Schedule Citizens Clean Elections Commission Commissioners David G. McKay, Chair Kathleen S. Detrick Ermila Jolley Marcia Busching Tracey A. Bardorf Commission meetings are held monthly in the Citizens Clean Elections Commission conference room at 1616 W. Adams in Phoenix. Please contact the Commission or check the Commission website, www.ccec.state.az.us to confirm meeting dates and times. 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. Upcoming Meetings August Tuesday, 8/10/04 9:30am Tuesday, 8/31/04 9:30am September Tuesday, 9/14/04 9:30am