ission m m o C s n io ct le E n a Citizens Cle Bulletin Volume 3, Quarter 3 August 2006 Message from the Chair As the summer comes to an end, the Commission has been busy gearing up for the upcoming elections. Many candidates are busy finalizing the last of their $5 qualifying contributions to ensure that they are submitted by the August 31 deadline. Participation in Clean Elections continues to increase as 137 of the candidates running in this year’s statewide and legislative elections are participating as Clean Elections candidates. The continued increase in the participation in Clean Elections further demonstrates that the citizens of Arizona recognize the positive change the Act has initiated in the state’s political process. This fall the Commission will be sponsoring general election debates for all districts with a competitive race. This is the fourth time since the Act’s inception that the Commission has sponsored these debates and is a tremendous opportunity for voters to engage candidates. The primary election debates were completed earlier this month and the general debate schedule is listed on our website (www.azcleanelections.gov). All of the debates will be taped and available on the Commission website. Inside the Bulletin Recent News 2 Topic of the Quarter 3 Information 4 Lastly, every household with at least one registered voter will soon be receiving the Citizens Clean Elections Commission’s 2006 General Election Candidate Statements Pamphlet. This pamphlet includes a 200 word statement and picture from every candidate who wished to participate in this project. This is one more step the Commission is taking to ensure that all Arizonans have the opportunity to become involved in the election process. Time is flying as early voting has already begun. I encourage everyone to become involved in the election process and to contact the Commission office if you have any questions or need additional information. This is your State; let your voice be heard! Sincerely, Marcia Busching 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 The Citizens Clean Elections Commission Bulletin August 2006 News and Notes In addition to providing limited regulated funding for campaigns and organizing candidate debates, the Commission is also responsible for compiling a candidate statement pamphlet for the primary and general election. The Commission is helping voters learn more about statewide and legislative candidates running for office by hosting both primary and general election debates with general election debates scheduled to begin in September. These debates, held throughout Arizona, are sponsored by the Commission and various sponsoring organizations. The Commission and The primary candidate statement pamphlet was participating sponsors hosted more than 20 debates released on July 19, both in print and online across the state during the primary election and plan to versions and is available in both English and host another 30 debates during the general election. Spanish. Each household with at least one The Commission’s primary and general election registered voter will receive the pamphlets. debates are open to both Clean Elections (participating) candidates and traditional candidates who are not To download a copy of the primary election participating in the Clean Elections program. pamphlet visit the Commission website at Participating candidates are required to participate in the debates as part of their agreement when using www.azcleanelections.gov. Clean Elections funds, ensuring that the constituents in that district have an opportunity to hear the candidate's The deadline to submit a statement for the platforms on a variety of public policy issues. General Candidate Statement Pamphlet is The schedule for the upcoming general election quickly approaching. Midnight August 24th is the debates this fall is available on the Commission’s webdeadline to ensure that a statement will be site, www.azcleanelections.gov. published. If a candidate has trouble submitting or has any further questions regarding the For the first time, the Commission has partnered with pamphlet please contact Mike Becker, Voter the local PBS affiliate KAET-TV to broadcast all of the Education Manager, or Colleen McGee, Deputy Commission-sponsored debates during the 2006 election season. KAET will be onsite to film all of the Director, at 602-364-3477 or 1-877-631-8891 candidate debates for the statewide and legislative races during both the primary and general elections. The station will broadcast several debates live, with all debate videos available for download on the Commission’s website at www.azcleanelections.gov. 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 August 2006 *Topic of the Quarter* $5 Qualifying Contribution Deadline § 16-946 Qualifying contributions A. During the qualifying period, a participating candidate may collect qualifying contributions, which shall be paid to the fund. B. To qualify as a “qualifying contribution,” a contribution must be: 1. Made by a qualified elector as defined in section 16-121, who at the time of the contribution is registered in the electoral district of the office the candidate is seeking and who has not given another qualifying contribution to that candidate during that election cycle; 2. Made by a person who is not given anything of value in exchange for the qualifying contribution; January 11, 2006 3. 6:00pm-8:00pm In the sum of five dollars, exactly; CCEC Conference Room 1616 W. Adams Phoenix 4.January Received unsolicited during the qualifying or solicited during303 theUniversity qualifying period by a 18, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm U of period A Memorial Student UnBlvd. person who is not employed or retained by the candidate and who is not compensated to colion, Tubac Rm Tucson lect contributions by the candidate or on behalf of the candidate; 8, 2006 CCEC Conference W. Adams 5.February If made by check or6:00pm-8:00pm money order, made payable to theRoom candidate’s1616 campaign committee, or if in cash, deposited in the candidate’s campaign committee’s account;Phoenix and 6.February Accompanied three-part reportingNAU slipduBois that includes the name, registration ad15, 2006 by a 6:00pm-8:00pm Center/Bldg 64printed Flagstaff dress, and signature of the contributor,Agassiz the name Rm of the candidate for whom the contribution is made, the date, and the printed name and signature of the solicitor. C. March 8, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W. Adams A copy of the reporting slip shall be given as a receipt to the contributor, and another copy shall be retained by the candidate’s campaign committee. Delivery of an original Phoenix reporting slip to the Secretary of State shall excuse the candidate from disclosure of these contributions on campaign finance March 15, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm Mohave CC Kingman reports filed under article 1 of this chapter. The deadline for submitting all $5 contributions is quickly approaching and candidates must January 25, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W Adams Phoenix submit all of their information by August 31 to qualify for Commission funding. Statewide canFebruary 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm U of A Memorial Student Un- 303 as University Blvd.1, Tucson didates began1,collecting $5 qualifying contributions for their campaign of August 2005, ion, Tubac Rm while legislative candidates were permitted to start collecting as of January 1, 2006. February 22, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Room 1616 W Adams Phoenix The $5March contribution is a critical element toNAU the duBois CleanCenter Election Act, allowing voters to directly 1, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm /Bldg 64 Flagstaff participate in the political process. The $5Aggasiz contribution ensures that voters have a stake in the Rm election process and that their voice can be heard. Voters may contribute to more than one Marchif22, 2006choose, and 6:00pm-8:00pm CCEC Conference Roomcandidate 1616 Phoenixvoter candidate they political party affiliation of the orWofAdams registered does not matter. March 29, 2006 6:00pm-8:00pm U of A Memorial Student Un- 303 University Blvd. Tucson ion, Tubac Rm ns Citizens Clean Electio Commission Bulletin Volume 3, Quarter 3 August 2006 1616 W. Adams, Suite 110 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 364-3477 (602) 364-3487, fax Thank you very much for taking the tim e to rea d our thi rd qua rte r 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 Third Quarter Commission Meeting Schedule Citizens Clean Elections Commission Commissioners Marcia Busching, Chair Ermila Jolley Gary Scaramazzo Carl Kunasek 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 August 24 Thursday, 9:30am September 14 Thursday, 9:30am September 28 Thursday, 9:30am Please refer to www.azcleanelections.gov for agendas & additional documents