ctions Citizens Clean Ele n Commission Bulleti Volume 2, Quarter 3 July 2005 Inside this issue: Message from the Chair 1 The Act & The Commission 2 Executive Director Resigns 2 Check out our Website! 2 Commission seeks new Executive Director 3 Statewide Candidates to Begin Collecting $5 Qualifying 4&5 Topic of the Quarter 6 Commission Meeting Schedule 7 Message from the 2005 Chair Welcome to the 2005 third quarter Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin. Arizona’s Clean Elections system has been the topic of discussion over the past few months, and as a national model for campaign finance reform, it will likely continue to be for many years to come. Through all of the challenges, it is the goal of the Commission and its staff to continue to educate every Arizonan on how the Act, while only in its seventh year, is making a positive difference in Arizona elections. The Commission has begun gearing up for the 2005-2006 election cycle with continued voter education efforts. Commission staff has revised the Participating Candidate Guide and finalized new candidate training materials which are available on the Commission website. Training workshops are scheduled to begin in September for candidates and treasurers. As well, the Commission will launch an educational awareness campaign surrounding how Clean Elections allows for every citizen to have a role in the election process and affords every registered voter an opportunity to support candidates of their choice with a $5 qualifying contribution. The Clean Elections Act continues to engage everyday citizens in the election process and allows individuals who would normally not have an opportunity to run for elected office to do so. The Commission fully recognizes the importance of educating both the general public and candidates on how the Clean Elections Act works and how it benefits Arizona elections, and will continue to employ every effort to do so as we move into our fourth election cycle. Sincerely, Marcia Busching, 2005 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 www.azcleanelections.gov Page 2 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin July 2005 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 was the third election season in which candidates could 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 Commission to provide 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. Executive Director Resigns Colleen Connor, Executive Director of the Citizens Clean Elections Commission (Commission) for the past six years announced her resignation on June 1. Ms. Connor served as the executive director for the past six years and cited her desire to pursue new challenges outside of government as her reasons for resigning. Connor’s last day of employment was Friday, June 17, 2005. Before becoming the executive director of the Commission, she spent three years as the Assistant Attorney General in the Arizona State Attorney General’s office. In a letter to the Commission, Connor stated: “We have withstood controversy and constitutional challenges together and I am proud of our accomplishments. Our hard work together has made Arizona a model for other states pursuing Clean Elections initiatives themselves.” The Commission would like to extend its thanks to Ms. Connor for her dedication over the past six years. Please visit the Citizens Clean Elections Commission website at www.azcleanelections.gov to view the latest Commission news. You may also access publications such as the Act, Rules & Policies Manual. www.azcleanelections.gov While you are visiting the Commission website, please take a moment to sign up to receive e-mail newsletters at www.azcleanelections.gov/linkto.asp?linkId=47. 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 2005 Citizens Clean Elections Commission seeks new Executive Director For consideration please submit cover letter and comprehensive resume by July 25, 2005 to: Arizona Department of Administration 100 N. 15th Ave. Suite 103 Phoenix, AZ 85007 Mail hard copy to the above address, or Apply at: azstatejobs.gov The State of Arizona Clean Elections Commission is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Executive Director to lead the agency. Clean Elections is a voter approved system of public campaign finance for candidates seeking statewide and legislative offices. Its primary goals are improving the integrity of Arizona state government, reducing the influence of special interest money and encouraging citizen participation in the political process. Under the direction of the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, the Executive Director has overall responsibility to ensure that the mission of the agency is carried out. Duties & Responsibilities: • Manage Office and Personnel • Legislation and Lobbying • Disbursement of Campaign Funds • Manage Public Commission Meetings • Enforcement • Budget • Voter Education • Rules & Legal Matters Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: • Successful applicant required to be an Attorney and must be an active member of a Bar in some jurisdiction. • Knowledge, experience or acquired knowledge through experience with: • State campaign finance and election laws and programs administering such laws. • Federal campaign finance laws and the U.S. Constitution as it applies to campaign finance laws. In the AZ State Personnel System, the position is classified as an E3, with a salary range of $63,441 to $109,000. The State of AZ/AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer Page 4 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin July 2005 Are you a statewide candidate who would like to know more about collecting $5 qualifying contributions? Beginning August 1, 2005, statewide candidates may begin collecting $5 qualifying contributions from registered voters across the state. Legislative candidates MAY NOT begin collecting $5 qualifying contributions until January 1, 2006. Participating candidates must collect $5 from a number of registered voters prior to receiving funding from the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. To ensure that the candidate has enough $5 contributions, the CCEC recommends that the candidate gather at least 20% more qualifying contributions than the minimum number required. (*Recommended*) Office Governor Qualifying ContributionsMinimum Required 4,200 x $5 = $21,000 Qualifying ContributionsMinimum + 20% 4,200 + 20% = 5,040 x $5 = $25,200 Secretary of State 2,625 x $5 = $13,125 2,625 + 20% = 3,150 x $5 = $15,750 Attorney General 2,625 x $5 = $13,125 Treasurer 1,575 x $5 = $7,875 2,625 + 20% = 3,150 x $5 = $15,750 1,575 + 20% = 1,890 x $5 = $9,450 Superintendent of Public Instruction 1,575 x $5 = $7,875 Corporation Commission 1,575 x $5 = $7,875 Mine Inspector 525 x $5 = $2,625 1,575 + 20% = 1,890 x $5 = $9,450 1,575 + 20% = 1,890 x $5 = $9,450 525 + 20% = 630 x $5 = $3,150 Statewide candidates may accept $5 qualifying contributions during the following time period: August 1, 2005 - August 24, 2006 Definition of Qualifying Contribution (A.R.S. § 16-946) • The sum of $5, exactly; • Made by a qualified elector (“contributor”). A qualified elector is a person who is registered to vote in the district of the office the candidate is seeking; • The contributor has not given another qualifying contribution to the same candidate during that election cycle; • The contributor has not been given anything of value in exchange for the qualifying contribution; Page 5 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin July 2005 $5 Qualifying Contributions, continued… • The contribution is received either unsolicited or solicited from a person who is not employed or retained by the candidate and who is not compensated by or on behalf of the candidate to collect the qualifying contribution; • If made by check or money order, made payable to the candidate’s campaign committee, or if made in cash, deposited in the candidate’s campaign committee’s bank account. 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 reporting slip (one check, two reporting slips); and Is accompanied by a three-part reporting slip that includes the printed name, registration address, signature of the contributor, the name of the candidate for whom the contribution is made, the date, and the printed name, signature of the solicitor. • • Helpful Hints • Candidates must conduct all campaign activity through a single campaign account. Therefore, any expenses incurred as a result of collecting qualifying contributions must be paid for out of the candidate’s campaign account. A.R.S. § 16-948(C). • The contributor’s party affiliation DOES NOT matter for the $5 qualifying contributions. • A contributor may give a $5 qualifying contribution to more than one candidate for the same office. • A contributor may give a $5 qualifying contribution, a $120 early contribution, as well as sign a nomination petition on behalf of the same candidate. Solicitation of the $5 Qualifying Contributions The person who seeks the qualifying contributions from qualified electors is the “solicitor” of the qualifying contribution. The solicitor must provide his or her name, residential address, and sign each reporting form. In addition, the solicitor must sign a sworn statement, on the contribution form, avowing that the contributor has signed the reporting slip, contributed the $5, and based on information and belief, the contributor’s name and address are correctly stated, and that each contributor is a qualified elector in the state. • • A solicitor must be a person who is eligible to register to vote. As defined in A.R.S. § 16-101, a person who is eligible to register to vote is every resident of the state if he or she: Is a citizen of the United States • Is eighteen years of age or more on or before the date of the regular general election next following his registration • Has been a resident of the state twenty-nine days next preceding the election • Is able to write his or her name or make a mark, unless prevented from doing so by physical disability • Has not been convicted of treason or a felon, unless restored to civil rights • Has not been adjudicated an incapacitated person as defined in A.R.S. § 14-5101. Unsolicited Qualifying Contributions Candidates may receive qualifying contributions unsolicited. If an unsolicited contribution is received, the candidate may sign the qualifying contribution form as the solicitor. Page 6 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin July 2005 *Topic of the Quarter* Filing an Application for Certification as a Participating Candidate—Statewide & Legislative Candidates Candidates interested in becoming a participating candidate must file an application called the “Application for Certification as a Participating Candidate” with the Secretary of State’s Office from now until the end of the qualifying period, August 24, 2006. At the time the candidate submits his or her Application for Certification, the candidate shall file a campaign finance report reflecting all campaign activity to date. Processing the Application for Certification as a Participating Candidate Although the Application for Certification as a Participating Candidate must be submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office, it is the Commission that shall act upon the application within seven calendar days. Unless during that time the Commission denies an application with written reasons that all or part of a certification is incomplete or untrue, the candidate will be certified as participating. The Commission will send the candidate a letter notifying him or her that he or she has been certified as a participating candidate. Once certified, the candidate is held to all laws governing participating candidates. Changing Participation Status A nonparticipating candidate who has accepted contributions up to the limits permissible for nonparticipating candidates, but later chooses to run as a participating candidate, shall: • Make the change to participating candidate status during the exploratory and qualifying periods only; • Return the amount of each contribution in excess of the individual contribution limit for participating candidates; • Return all Political Action Committee (PAC) monies received; • Not have spent contributions exceeding the aggregate early contribution limit, or any part of a contribution exceeding the individual early contribution limit of $120; • Comply with all contribution and spending limits required of a participating candidate for the election cycle. The Application for Certification as a Participating Candidate is available: • • • • At the end of the Participating Candidate Guide On the Commission website, which is www.azcleanelections.gov At the Commission Office At the Secretary of State’s Office tions Citizens Clean Elec n Commission Bulleti Volume 2, Quarter 3 July 2005 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 www.azcleanelections.gov Visit us on the Web! www.azcleanelections.gov 2005 Third Quarter Commission Meeting Schedule Citizens Clean Elections Commission Upcoming Meetings Commissioners July Marcia Busching, Chair Kathleen S. Detrick Ermila Jolley Tracey A. Bardorf 7/29/05 Thursday, 9:30am August Gary Scaramazzo Commission meetings are held in the Citizens Clean Elections Commission conference room at 1616 W. Adams in Phoenix. Please contact the Commission or check the Commission website, www.azcleanelections.gov 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. 8/25/05 Thursday, 9:30am September 9/15/05 Thursday, 9:30am Please refer to www.azcleanelections.gov for agendas & additional documents