Alaska Campaign Finance Reform Initiative, Measure 1 (August 2006)

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The Alaska Campaign Finance Reform Initiative, also known as Measure 3, was on the August 22, 2006 ballot in Alaska as an indirect initiated state statute, where it was approved, though certain provisions were later overturned. The measure decreased the maximum amount an individual may give a candidate or group from $1,000 to $500, and decreased the amount an individual may give a political party from $10,000 to $5,000. The measure also decreased the amount a group may give a candidate or group from $2,000 to $1,000, and the amount a group may give to a political party from $4,000 to $1,000. It was also designed to limit annual aggregate contributions a candidate may accept from nonresidents of Alaska.

Aftermath

A lawsuit brought by three individuals and a subdivision of the Alaska Republican Party in November 2015 challenged some provisions of the measure. Specifically, the provisions that were challenged were (a) the $500 annual limit on individual contributions to a political candidate, (b) the $500 limit on an individual contribution to a non-political party group, (3) annual limits on what a political party and its subdivisions may contribute to a candidate, and (4) the annual aggregate limit on contributions a candidate can accept from nonresidents of Alaska. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the limit on nonresidents violated the First Amendment. The opinion stated, "The nonresident limit, which at most, targeted contributors' influence over Alaska politics, did not target an 'important state interest' and therefore violated the First Amendment." Plaintiff Jim Crawford said they planned to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Election results

Alaska Measure 1 (August 2006)
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		113,130	73.00%
No		41,836	27.00%

Election results via: Alaska Department of Elections

Text of measure

The language appeared on the ballot as:

“

This initiative would decrease the maximum amount an individual may give a candidate or group from $1,000 to $500, and decrease the amount an individual may give a political party for any purpose from $10,000 to $5,000. It would decrease the amount a group may give a candidate, or group, from $2,000 to $1,000. It would decrease the amount a group may give to a political party from $4,000 to $1,000. It would require groups to disclose the name, address, occupation, employer, date and amount given by each contributor for contributions more than $100 during a calendar year. It would reduce from 40 to 10 the hours a person who is not a professional lobbyist could lobby in any 30-day period before having to register as a lobbyist. It would require legislators, public members of the select committee on legislative ethics, and legislative directors to disclose outside income sources greater than $1,000. SHOULD THIS INITIATIVE BECOME LAW? YES NO

”

Support

Campaign contributions

Campaign spending for the campaign in support of the measure:

• Big Money Out of Alaska Politics:$8,201
• Total: $8,201

See also

Suggest a link

• List of Alaska ballot measures
• Alaska 2006 ballot measures
• 2006 ballot measures

External links

• Alaska 2006 Election Results
• 2006 Alaska Voter Guide