s Commis n io ct le E n a le C s en Citiz Bulletin Volume 3, Quarter 2 sion April 2006 Message from the Chair It is hard to believe that spring is upon us once again and that the deadline for candidates collecting $5 qualifying contributions is quickly approaching. While the Commission has already given out primary funding to a number of candidates who have raised the required amount – and there is likely a number of candidates who are collecting their last few contributions – we would like to remind candidates that they must have all of their qualified contributions collected no later than August 24, 2006 to qualify for primary campaign funding. Inside the Bulletin Recent News 2 Workshops 3 Directors Corner 4 Information 5 The collection of the $5 campaign contributions is at the heart of what Clean Elections is designed to do – engage voters in the election process. We want to continue to encourage the voters of Arizona to get involved and to support candidates of their choice with $5 qualifying contributions. Clean Elections allows every citizen to have a role in the election process, with the primary goal of encouraging broad-reaching participation in the political process as a whole. With a robust schedule of candidate debates kicking off across Arizona this summer, the political process has again begun. The Commission encourages candidates and voters to take every opportunity to get involved and engaged in the process and to look forward to a successful election in 2006. Marcia Busching 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 www.azcleanelections.gov Page 2 Candidate Statement Pamphlet Candidates, both participating and non-participating, may begin submitting their 200 word statement and picture to the Citizens Clean Elections Commission (Commission) for placement in the 2006 Candidate Statement Pamphlet. This pamphlet, as prescribed by ARS 16-956, is created by the Commission and is mailed to every household in Arizona containing at least one registered voter. In 2004, the Commission mailed more than 1.4 million pamphlets statewide. The candidate pamphlet is not only a tremendous opportunity for candidates to reach voters with their message, but provides candidates an opportunity to let voters know where they stand on specific issues. Participation is not mandatory, but the Commission highly encourages all candidates to participate. To submit a statement and picture, candidates should visit the Commission’s Web site at: www.azcleanelections.gov. Once there, click on “Primary Candidate Statement Pamphlet Submission” (this is located under the “Popular Links” heading) and follow the directions. The deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m. PST on Wednesday, June 14, 2006. For questions or more information, candidates should contact the Commission office at 602-364-3477. The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin April 2006 New Additions The Citizens Clean Elections Commission welcomes two new Commissioners, Carl Kunasek and Royann Jordan Parker. Commissioner Kunasek was appointed by Secretary of State Jan Brewer and will fill the seat left vacant by former Commissioner, Tracy Bardorf. A registered Republican, Kunasek lives in Mesa, Ariz. and has been recognized for his long career in Arizona politics. First elected to Arizona State House of Representatives in 1972, Kunasek served for 10 years, prior to being elected to the State Senate in 1983 where he served as the Senate President from 1987 to 1989. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush appointed Kunasek to serve as the Commissioner of the Navajo and Hopi Relocation Commission. He was then elected to the Arizona Corporation Commission in 1994, serving in that position until 2001. Kunasek will serve a 3 year term on the Clean Elections Commission, ending 2009. Commissioner Parker was also appointed by Secretary of State Brewer to fill the vacancy left open by the resignation of Commissioner Clark Dierks. Commissioner Parker, a registered Republican from Tucson is also familiar with politics in Arizona through her active involvement in the Arizona Republican Party which began in 1982 when Parker ran for the Arizona House of Representatives. Additionally, Parker served as an Arizona Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1984, and in 2002, was appointed by Governor Jane Dee Hull to serve a one year term on the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments. Parker will serve a 5 year term on the Clean Elections Commission, ending 2011. 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. 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, Mike Becker, at (602) 364-3477, ext 210. Page 3 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin April 2006 *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 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 2006 Participating Candidate and Treasurer Workshops: AprilJanuary 19, 200611, 2006 6:00pm - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room CCEC Conference Room April 26, 2006 January 18, 2006 6:00pm - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm May 3, 2006 6:00pm - 8:00pm Show Low Library U of A Memorial Student Union, Tubac Rm CCEC Conference Room February 8, 2006 May 10, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm 6:00 - 8:00pm CCEC Conference Room Arizona Western College 1616 W. Adams Yuma Phoenix February 15, 2006 **May 12, 2006** 6:00pm-8:00pm **1:00 - 3:00pm** NAU*CCEC duBoisConference Center/Bldg 64 Room* Agassiz Rm Flagstaff *1616 W Adams, Phoenix* MayMarch 17, 2006 8, 2006 6:00 - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room CCEC Conference Room 1616W. W Adams Adams, Phoenix 1616 May 24, 2006 March 15, 2006 6:00 - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm Yavapai Comm. College Mohave CC Phoenix Prescott Kingman May 31, 2006 6:00 - 8:00pm June 14, 2006 January 25, 2006 6:00 - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W Adams, Phoenix CCEC Conference Room 1616 W Adams Phoenix JuneFebruary 28, 2006 1, 2006 6:00 - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm July 12, 2006 February 22, 2006 6:00 - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 303 University 1616 W Adams, Phoenix U of A Memorial Student UnBlvd. Tucson ion, Tubac Rm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W Adams, Phoenix CCEC Conference Room 1616 W Adams Phoenix July 19, 2006 March 1, 2006 6:00 - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm July 26, 2006 March 22, 2006 6:00 - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm August 2, 2006 March 29, 2006 6:00 - 8:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616W. W.Adams Adams ,Phoenix 1616 Phoenix 180 N 9th St, Show Low 303 University Blvd. Tucson 1616 W Adams, Phoenix 1616 W Adams, Phoenix CCEC Conference Room 1616 W Adams, Phoenix NAU duBois Center /Bldg 64 Flagstaff Aggasiz Rm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W Adams, Phoenix CCEC Conference Room 1616 W Adams Phoenix CCEC Conference Room 1616 W Adams, Phoenix U of A Memorial Student Un- 303 University Blvd. Tucson ion, Tubac Rm *** NEW Time 1:00 - 3:00pm *** ***August 2 is the LAST workshop*** 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 Page 4 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin April 2006 Director’s Corner In 1998, the citizens of Arizona realized a critical need to address the way statewide and legislative elections were being conducted. Recognizing a desire to remove special interest money from politics and level the playing field in relation to campaign financing, Arizona voters approved the ballot initiative establishing the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. Designed to encourage citizen participation in the political process and promote freedom of speech, the Act allows candidates to obtain full public funding to conduct their campaigns if they agree to spending limits. Our own state, which serves as national model for campaign reform, is now entering into its fourth election cycle since the inception of the Act, yet opponents continue to challenge the success and intentions of the voter approved law. While these opponents have published various essays or reports to support their opposition to the law, none have asked citizens how they feel about the law or the importance of the Act to their participation in state elections. Instead various unsubstantiated figures or statements are being published in an attempt to imply that the law is wrong. However, at CCEC, we stand behind the rights of the state’s citizens to choose a system they feel is fair and the popular vote in support of Clean Elections is a demonstration of just that. A survey conducted in January 2006 by the Behavior Research Center shows that 85 percent of Arizonans surveyed feel that Clean Elections is important to Arizona. Additionally, of those surveyed, 25 percent believe a candidate who uses the Clean Elections system is more credible then those who do not. This survey proves a dramatic departure from what opponents would have the public believe. Furthermore, opponents use the argument that the Act has not fulfilled one of its primary intentions of increasing participation. When, in fact, candidate and voter participation has increased every year that Clean Elections Act has been in existence. Since 2000, candidate participation in Clean Elections has increased from 29 percent to more than 60 percent in 2006. Additionally, while approximately 24,000 voters chose to contribute $5 to a candidate’s campaign in 2000, nearly 40,000 voters contributed in 2004. These numbers show that Arizonans are in fact getting involved in the election process and using Clean Elections to make sure their voices are heard and that their votes truly count. While some opponents state that Clean Elections has stifled free speech, I also would argue that it has managed to accomplish the exact opposite. Clean Elections created a system in which more voices can be heard and shared in the marketplace of ideas. It is permitting voters to take a proactive stance in the election process and be stakeholders in helping elect the candidates they support. There are obviously challenges in creating a “perfect” law, however, the core purpose of the Act was designed to lessen the importance of money in statewide and legislative campaigns, and has in turn allowed more Arizonans to become involved in the political process. ns Citizens Clean Electio Commission Bulletin Volume 3, Quarter 2 April 2006 1616 W. Adams, Suite 110 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 364-3477 (602) 364-3487, fax Thank you very much for taking the time to read our sec ond quarter Bulletin! The Bulletin is pub lished once a quarte r and is posted on the Commission’s website. 1-877-631-8891, toll free www.azcleanelections.gov Visit us on the Web! www.azcleanelections.gov 2006 Second Quarter Commission Meeting Schedule Citizens Clean Elections Commission Commissioners Marcia Busching, Chair Carl Kunasek Ermila Jolley Gary Scaramazzo Royann Parker 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. Upcoming Meetings April 27 Thursday, 9:30am May 25 Thursday, 9:30am June 29 Thursday, 9:30am Please refer to www.azcleanelections.gov for agendas & additional documents