ctions Citizens Clean Ele n Commission Bulleti Volume 2, Quarter 4 October 2005 Inside this issue: Message from the Chair 1 The Act & The Commission 2 Dollar-for-Dollar Tax Credit Donations 2 Check out our Website! 2 Commission Welcomes New Executive Director 3 Campaign Finance Manager Hired 3 Debate Sponsorship 4&5 Topic of the Quarter 6 Commission Meeting Schedule 7 Message from the 2005 Chair Welcome to the 2005 fourth quarter Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin. The Commission is proud to officially welcome Todd Lang, the new executive director of the Commission. Mr. Lang brings an inordinate amount of experience and knowledge to the position. His previous experience includes three years as an election law attorney serving as counsel for the Commission. Mr. Lang’s foresight and vision will guide the future of the Act in Arizona, and under his direction the Commission will remain a leader in campaign finance reform. An essential part of being a national model begins by involving more voters in the election process through programs such as the Clean Elections candidate debates, which are held during the primary and general elections. These debates are critical opportunities for voters to hear more about the candidates and their stance on issues. The Commission is currently seeking sponsorship from nonpartisan organizations interested in hosting a candidate debate. The Commission has also begun hosting candidate and treasurer workshops. The workshops are mandatory for participating candidates and their treasurers, however, the Commission welcomes all members of the public to attend a workshop in order to learn more about Clean Elections in Arizona. The Commission looks forward to working with all of the statewide and legislative candidates and voters during the 2005-2006 election cycle and will continue efforts to enhance participation in the political process by providing all voters with an increased ability to get involved. 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 October 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. Receive Dollar-for-Dollar Tax Credits! Why donate your money to the Citizens Clean Elections Fund? The Fund was created in 1998 to promote the removal of special-interest money from politics by allowing statewide and legislative candidates to run publicly-funded campaigns. • Donate to the Citizens Clean Elections Fund and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your 2005 return! • Make donations of up to $580 or 20% of the amount of your 2005 state income tax, whichever is greater! • Donate your money by Dec. 31, 2005! Make checks payable to: Citizens Clean Elections Fund Mail checks to: Citizens Clean Elections Commission Phoenix, AZ 85007 Attn: Tax Credit 1616 W. Adams, Suite 110 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 October 2005 Recent News CITIZENS CLEAN ELECTIONS WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Commission would like to welcome Mr. Todd Lang to the Commission Staff as Executive Director. Mr. Lang began working at the Commission on September 8th. Prior to accepting this new position, Mr. Lang worked at the Office of the Arizona Attorney General as Unit Chief Counsel of the Consumer Litigation Unit. He also worked as visiting professor at the Arizona State University College of Law and as assistant attorney general in the Solicitor General’s Office. Mr. Lang earned his J.D. with a concentration in Advocacy, in 1993, from Cornell Law School in Ithaca, New York. Mr. Lang was admitted to the Arizona Bar in September 1996. We are delighted to have Mr. Lang join us in our continued efforts to provide fair and evenhanded administration and enforcement of the Act and increase awareness of the opportunities created by Arizona's clean elections system. We look forward to his leadership and vision as we continue transforming campaign finance reform in Arizona. CITIZENS CLEAN ELECTIONS COMMISSION HIRED NEW CAMPAIGN FINANCE MANAGER PHOENIX, (August 29, 2005) – The Citizens Clean Elections Commission (Commission), a state agency that administers the Citizens Clean Elections Act, would like to welcome Ms. Genevra Richardson to the Commission Staff as Campaign Finance Manager. Richardson’s duties include the analysis of campaign finance reports to ensure compliance with the Clean Elections Act, as well as calculating the financial disbursements to candidates running under the Clean Elections system. As campaign finance manager, Richardson is responsible for managing duties associated with the enforcement of the Clean Elections Act and Commission rules, assisting with candidate and treasurer workshops and working with candidates and treasurers on campaign finance reporting. Richardson’s experience involves work with a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm where she worked on public opinion and strategic research for international and domestic political campaigns and worldwide corporations. Richardson received a master’s degree in political management from George Washington University where her studies included campaign finance reform. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oregon State University. Page 4 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin October 2005 Are you interested in sponsoring a Clean Elections statewide or legislative debate? The Citizens Clean Elections Commission (CCEC) is seeking organizations to sponsor professional, fair and nonpartisan candidate debates for legislative and statewide offices. The format for conducting the debates is set forth by the Sponsor in its application, as confirmed or modified by the CCEC. Evaluation Criteria—Evaluation criteria are listed in the relative order of importance. The evaluation will be conducted in accordance with an established evaluation plan. The award(s) will be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal is determined to be the most advantageous to the State based on the following criteria: • Method of Approach • Debate Experience and Expertise • Perception of Nonpartisanship • Cost Sponsor Requirements—The CCEC will need to know no later than May 1, 2006, for the primary election, and June 1, 2006, for the general election, the following debate information: • Debate date (It is important to keep major dates such as other scheduled debates in mind while proceeding, as scheduling debates during these times may preclude candidates from attending.) For the primary no debate shall be scheduled to be held before July 11, 2006 and no later than August 10, 2006. For the general no debate shall be scheduled to be held before September 19, 2006 and no later than October 5, 2006. • Debate starting and stopping times • Debate location • Publicity plan (print, radio, television, etc.) • Debate Moderator The Sponsor shall be responsible for the following: Debate Site: Select debate sites with handicap accessibility, perceived political neutrality, adequate structural and acoustical facility, and location with the greatest ease of public accessibility. Seating shall be adequate for expected public attendance. Each district shall be the site of its own debate. Page 5 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin October 2005 Clean Elections debates, continued… Invitations to Candidates: The Sponsor shall provide 2 written notices to invite candidates to participate in the debate. The notice shall include an RSVP card for the candidate to confirm or reject participation, and for the RSVP card to be returned to the Sponsor by a certain date. Advertising: Both the CCEC and the Sponsor will be responsible for advertising the debates to the general public. The advertising may consist of newspaper ads, direct mailings, etc. as the Sponsor & CCEC see fit. Debate Moderator: The Sponsor shall select experienced and non-partisan moderators. The CCEC reserves the right to veto moderators who lack expertise or are perceived to be partisan. The moderators shall be selected based on their experience, impartiality and ability to moderate the debates in a nonpartisan and fair manner. The Sponsor shall provide training for all moderators prior to the debates to inform them of the specific requirements of the CCEC. The names of the moderators shall be submitted to the CCEC prior to the debate(s). Recordings: The Commission has arranged for the audio and/or video recording, including microphones and a PA system, of each debate with KAET-TV. The sponsor shall provide KAET with suitable access to the debate for the purposes of these recordings. If requested in writing, the sponsor may have a copy of the recording. If the sponsor wishes to arrange for the audio and/or video recording, it must be approved by the Commission, which retains sole discretion regarding approval. To be approved, the sponsor must submit the request to the Commission by May 1, 2006 stating the type and manner of recording they are proposing along with the total costs involved. The Commission will then approve/deny the Sponsor’s request to record. Should the Sponsor be approved to record the debate(s), the Sponsor shall send the Commission a copy of the recording no later than two days following the debate in format requested by the Commission (DVD/CD). Post-Debate Review and Analysis: The Sponsor must agree to assist the CCEC in evaluating the operation and effectiveness of the debate process. All applications are due to the CCEC no later than 5:00pm, on October 31, 2005. If you have any questions regarding becoming a debate sponsor, please contact Autumn Southard or Paula Ortiz at our toll free number, 1-877-631-8891. If your organization is interested in submitting an application, please go to our website, fill out a debate application completely and return it to: Citizens Clean Elections Commission 1616 W. Adams, Suite 110 Phoenix, AZ 85007 ATTN: Autumn Southard -or- autumn.southard@azcleanelections.gov For more information, please visit www.azcleanelections.gov Page 6 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin October 2005 *Topic of the Quarter* Mandatory Participating Candidate & Treasurer Workshops R2-20-104(D) - If certified as a participating candidate, the candidate shall...Attend at least one candidate training class sponsored by the Commission, and cause the candidate’s campaign treasurer to attend at least one candidate training class, during the election cycle. If the candidate or the treasurer is unable to attend a training class, the candidate or treasurer shall: a. Notify the Commission that the candidate or treasurer is unable to attend a training class. The Commission will then send that person the Commission training materials; and b. The candidate or treasurer shall sign and send to the Commission a statement certifying that he or she has received and reviewed the Commission training materials; Dates, Locations and Times for the 2005 Participating Candidate Workshops: October 12, 2005 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W. Adams Phoenix 85007 October 26, 2005 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W. Adams Phoenix 85007 November 9, 2005 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W. Adams Phoenix 85007 November 30, 2005 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W. Adams Phoenix 85007 December 7, 2005 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W. Adams Phoenix 85007 Dates, Locations and Times for the 2005 Treasurer Workshops: October 19, 2005 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W. Adams Phoenix 85007 November 16, 2005 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W. Adams Phoenix 85007 December 14, 2005 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W. Adams Phoenix 85007 To sign up for a Candidate Workshop, please go to: http://www.azcleanelections.gov/linkto.asp?linkId=222 To sign up for a Treasurer Workshop, please go to: http://www.azcleanelections.gov/linkto.asp?linkId=223 tions Citizens Clean Elec n Commission Bulleti Volume 2, Quarter 4 October 2005 1616 W. Adams, Suite 110 Phoenix, AZ 85007 Thank you very much for tak ing the time to read our fourth qua rter 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 Fourth Quarter Commission Meeting Schedule Citizens Clean Elections Commission Commissioners Marcia Busching, Chair Kathleen S. Detrick Ermila Jolley Upcoming Meetings October 10/4/05 Tuesday, 9:30am 10/20/05 Thursday, 9:30am Tracey A. Bardorf Gary Scaramazzo November 11/3/05 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. Thursday, 9:30am 11/18/05 Friday, 9:30am December No Meeting Scheduled Please refer to www.azcleanelections.gov for agendas & additional documents