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Alaska Establish Campaign Contribution Limits for State and Local Elections Initiative (2026)
Alaska Establish Campaign Contribution Limits for State and Local Elections Initiative | |
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Election date |
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Topic Campaign finance |
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Status On the ballot |
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Type Indirect initiated state statute |
Origin |
The Alaska Establish Campaign Contribution Limits for State and Local Elections Initiative is on the ballot in Alaska as an initiated state statute on November 3, 2026.[1]
A "yes" vote supports establishing new campaign contribution limits for campaigns for state and local office, including:
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A "no" vote opposes establishing new campaign contribution limits for campaigns for state and local office. |
Overview
How would the initiative limit campaign finance contributions in Alaska?
- See also: Text of measure
This initiative would establish campaign contribution limits. Individuals would be able to contribute up to $2,000 each election cycle to a candidate, an entity influencing the election of a candidate, as well as up to $5,000 a year to a political party or other group. A group that is not a political party or other non group entity may contribute $4,000 each election cycle to a candidate and $5,000 a year to another group or political party. When it comes to contributions made to a joint campaign for governor or lieutenant governor in the state, an individual may contribute no more than $4,000 each election cycle, while groups may contribute no more than $8,000 each election cycle. The initiative will not affect contributions made by super PACs or independent expenditure groups.[1]
Alaska had previously established campaign contribution limits most recently in 2006, when voters approved Measure 1. These limits consisted of individuals contributing to no more than $500 per year to a candidate, political group, or party. The same limit applied to non-party groups donating to candidates.
What are the current campaign finance limits in Alaska?
- See also: Background
Alaska currently has no limits on campaign contributions—individuals, groups, or parties can donate unlimited amounts directly to candidates or political groups. This has been the case since a 2021 federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision struck down the prior limits. In Thompson v. Hebdon (2021), the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down Alaska’s individual-to-candidate contribution limit of $500 per year, ruling it unconstitutional under the First Amendment. The court found the limit too low to allow meaningful political expression and concluded that it was not narrowly tailored to prevent corruption or its appearance. The ruling invalidated Alaska’s contribution caps, leaving the state without enforceable individual limits on campaign donations.[2]
How many states have campaign contribution limits?
- See also: Campaign contribution limits by state
Currently, 38 states have contribution limits on how much an individual may contribute to a state-level candidate, with limits varying by state, office, and election cycle. Meanwhile, 12 states—Alabama, Alaska, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia—provide for unlimited individual contributions to state-level candidates.
Text of measure
Full text
The full text of the ballot measure is below:[1]
Note: Hover over the text and scroll to see the full text.
Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a section to read:
FINDINGS AND INTENT. The People of the State of Alaska find:
(1) The people of Alaska believe that political power and influence with public officials should not be allocated solely based on wealth. Instead, reasonable limits on the amount of campaign contributions are necessary to secure equal rights for Alaskans and to preserve the integrity of our elections.
Section 2. AS 15.13.070(b) is amended to read:
(b) Except as provided in (h) of this section, an AN individual may contribute not more than
(1) $2,000 each election cycle $500 PER YEAR to a nongroup entity for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate, to a candidate, or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate ,OR TO A GROUP THAT IS NOT A POLITICAL PARTY;
(2) $5,000 a PER year to a political party or other group.
Section 3. AS 15.13.070(c) is amended to read:
(c) Except as provided in (h) of this section, a A group that is not a political party may contribute not more than
(1) $4,000 each election cycle $1,000 PER YEAR (1) to a candidate, or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate;
(2) $5,000 each year to another group, to a nongroup entity, or to a political party.
Section 4. AS 15.13.070(f) is amended to read:
(f) Except as provided in (h) of this section, a A nongroup entity may contribute not more than
(1) $4,000 each election cycle $1,000 A YEAR to another nongroup entity for the purpose of influencing the nomination or election of a candidate, to a candidate, or to an individual who conducts a write-in campaign as a candidate;
(2) $5,000 each year, to a group , or to a political party.
Section 5. AS 15.13.070(g) is amended to read:
(g) Where contributions are made to a joint campaign for governor and lieutenant governor,
(1) an individual may contribute not more than $4,000 each election cycle $1,000 PER YEAR; and
(2) a group may contribute not more than $8,000 each election cycle $2,000 PER YEAR.
Section 6. AS 15.13.070 is amended by adding new subsections to read:
(h) In order to comply with federal caselaw, the contribution limits provided under (b)(l), (c)(2), and (f) of this section do not apply to an individual, group, or nongroup entity contributing to a group or nongroup entity that makes only independent expenditures. (i) Beginning in the first quarter of calendar year 2031 and every 10 years thereafter, the commission shall, by regulation, adjust the contribution limitations set out in this section by a percentage equal to the percentage of increase over the preceding 10-year period in all items of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for Anchorage, Alaska, rounded to the nearest $50 increment.
Section 7. AS 15.13.llO(i) is amended to read:
(i) During an election cycle A CAMPAIGN PERIOD, the commission may not change the manner or format in which reports required of a candidate under this chapter must be filed. IN THIS SUBSECTION, “CAMPAIGN PERIOD” MEANS THE PERIOD BEGINNING ON THE DATE THAT A CANDIDATE BECOMES ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER THIS CHAPTER AND ENDING ON THE DATE THAT A FINAL REPORT FOR THAT SAME CAMPAIGN MUST BE FILED.
Section 8. AS 15.13.400 is amended by adding a new paragraph to read:
(20) “election cycle” means the period beginning on the date that a candidate becomes eligible to receive campaign contributions under this chapter and ending on the date that a final report for that same campaign must be filed.
Section 9. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read:
APPLICABILITY. This Act does not apply to contributions made to influence the outcome of any election that occurred on or before the effective date of this Act.
SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Act are independent and severable. If any provision of this Act or the applicability of any provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected and shall be given effect to the fullest extent possible.Support
Citizens Against Money in Politics is leading the campaign in support of the initiative.[4]
Supporters
Officials
- State Rep. Calvin Schrage (Nonpartisan)
Former Officials
- Frmr. Alaska Attorney General Bruce Botelho
Arguments
Opposition
Ballotpedia has not located a campaign in opposition to the ballot measure. You can share campaign information or arguments, along with source links for this information, with us at editor@ballotpedia.org.
Campaign finance
Citizens Against Money in Politics is the campaign registered in support of the initiative.[5]
Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Support | $107,905.00 | $3,457.39 | $111,362.39 | $71,882.87 | $75,340.26 |
Oppose | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Total | $107,905.00 | $3,457.39 | $111,362.39 | $71,882.87 | $75,340.26 |
Support
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the measure.[5]
Committees in support of Establish Campaign Contribution Limits for State and Local Elections Initiative | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
Citizens Against Money in Politics | $107,905.00 | $3,457.39 | $111,362.39 | $71,882.87 | $75,340.26 |
Total | $107,905.00 | $3,457.39 | $111,362.39 | $71,882.87 | $75,340.26 |
Donors
The following were the top donors who contributed to the support committees.[5]
Donor | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions |
---|---|---|---|
New Venture Fund | $75,000.00 | $0.00 | $75,000.00 |
Alaska AFL-CIO | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $10,000.00 |
NEA Alaska | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $10,000.00 |
ASEA/AFSCME Local | $5,000.00 | $0.00 | $5,000.00 |
Methodology
To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.
Background
Alaska Measure 1 (2006)
Measure 1 was on the August 22, 2006 ballot in Alaska as an indirect initiated state statute. The measure was approved by voters by 73%-27%, 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.[6]
Thompson v. Hebdon
After Measure 1 passed in 2006, three individuals and a subdivision of the Alaska Republican Party in November 2015 challenged some provisions of the measure.[7] 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."[8][2]
The case went up to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, in a per curiam decision, vacated the judgment by the Ninth Circuit Court, remanding the case to the appellate court. The Court noted that the Ninth Circuit did not apply Randall v. Sorrell, in which the Court invalidated a Vermont law that limited individual contributions. In a separate statement, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that Alaska's law lacks certain features the Court found troubling in Vermont's contribution laws that were cited in the Randall decision.[9]
Campaign contribution limits by state
The table below summarizes individual contribution requirements by state in the 2023-2024 election cycle. Unlimited contribution limit provisions are highlighted in light green; contribution limits of $500 or less are highlighted in light yellow.[10]
Individual contribution limits by state, 2023-2024 | ||||
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State | Gubernatorial candidates | State legislature, upper chamber, candidates | State legislature, lower chamber, candidates | Notes |
Alabama | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Alaska | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Arizona | $5,400 | $5,400 | $5,400 | Limits apply per election. |
Arkansas | $2,900 | $2,900 | $2,900 | Limits apply per election. |
California | $36,400 | $5,500 | $5,500 | Limits apply per election. |
Colorado | $625 | $200 | $200 | Limits apply per election. |
Connecticut | $3,500 | $1,000 | $250 | Limits apply per election. |
Delaware | $1,200 | $600 | $600 | Limits apply per election cycle. |
Florida | $3,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Limits apply per election. |
Georgia | $8,400 | $3,300 | $3,300 | Limits apply per election. |
Hawaii | $6,000 | $4,000 | $2,000 | Limits apply per election cycle. |
Idaho | $5,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Limits apply per election. |
Illinois | $6,900 | $6,900 | $6,900 | Limits apply per election cycle. |
Indiana | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Iowa | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Kansas | $2,000 | $1,000 | $500 | Limits apply per election. |
Kentucky | $2,100 | $2,100 | $2,100 | Limits apply per election. |
Louisiana | $5,000 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Limits apply per election. |
Maine | $1,950 | $475 | $475 | Limits apply per election. |
Maryland | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 | Limits apply per four-year election cycle. |
Massachusetts | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Limits apply per calendar year. |
Michigan | $8,325 | $2,450 | $1,225 | Limits apply per election cycle. |
Minnesota | $4,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Limits apply per two-year election segment. |
Mississippi | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Missouri | $2,825 | $2,400 | $2,000 | Limits apply per election. |
Montana | $1,000 | $400 | $400 | Limits apply per election. |
Nebraska | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Nevada | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Limits apply per election. |
New Hampshire | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Limits apply per election. |
New Jersey | $4,900 | $2,600 | $2,600 | Limits apply per election cycle. |
New Mexico | $11,000 | $5,500 | $5,500 | Limits apply per election. |
New York | $9,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | Limits apply per general election. |
North Carolina | $6,400 | $6,400 | $6,400 | Limits apply per election. |
North Dakota | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Ohio | $15,499.69 | $15,499.69 | $15,499.69 | Limits apply per election. |
Oklahoma | $3,300 | $3,300 | $3,300 | Limits apply per campaign. |
Oregon | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Pennsylvania | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Rhode Island | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Limits apply per calendar year. |
South Carolina | $3,500 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Limits apply per election. |
South Dakota | $4,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Limits apply per calendar year. |
Tennessee | $4,900 | $1,800 | $1,800 | Limits apply per election. |
Texas | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Utah | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Vermont | $4,480 | $1,680 | $1,120 | Limits apply per two-year election cycle. |
Virginia | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Washington | $2,400 | $1,200 | $1,200 | Limits apply per election. |
West Virginia | $2,800 | $2,800 | $2,800 | Limits apply per election. |
Wisconsin | $20,000 | $2,000 | $1,000 | According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, "amounts apply for term of office for an incumbent; for non-incumbents, the amounts apply beginning on the date on which the person becomes a candidate and ends on the day before the term of office begins." |
Wyoming | $2,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Limits apply per election. |
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Limits on Contributions to Candidates, 2023-2024 Election Cycle," updated May 2023 |
List of campaign finance ballot measure, 1988-2024
The following table provides a list of campaign finance ballot measures from 1988 to 2024:
Path to the ballot
Process in Alaska
In Alaska, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 10 percent of the votes cast in the preceding gubernatorial election. Alaska also has a signature distribution requirement, which requires that signatures equal to 7 percent of the vote in the last general election must be collected in each of three-fourths of the 40 state House districts. Petitions are allowed to circulate for 365 days from the date the lieutenant governor issues petition booklets to be distributed for signature gathering. Signatures must be submitted 365 days after the lieutenant governor issued petition booklets to be distributed for signature gathering or before the legislative session begins, whichever comes first.
The requirements to get an indirectly initiated state statute certified for the 2024 ballot:
- Signatures: 26,705 valid signatures were required.
- Deadline: The deadline to submit signatures was on January 15, 2024.
In Alaska, when enough signatures are verified for an initiative, the initiative is not certified for the ballot until after "a legislative session has convened and adjourned." This gives the Legislature a timeframe to consider the proposal or similar legislation. The initiative is void when “an act of the legislature that is substantially the same as the proposed law was enacted after the petition had been filed, and before the date of the election," according to state law.[11] Otherwise, the initiative is certified to appear on the ballot for the first statewide election 120 days after the legislature's adjournment.
Stages of this ballot initiative
- May 5, 2023: The initiative, titled "An Act restoring campaign contribution limits for campaigns for state and local office; and restoring limits on out-of-state contributions to candidates for state and local office.", was filed. This text was withdrawn.[12]
- July 5, 2023: Another version of the text was filed, titled "An Act restoring campaign contribution limits for campaigns for state and local office."[13]
- September 1, 2023: The initiative was certified to be cleared for signature gathering.[12]
- October 17 2023: Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom certified the measure to the legislature. The measure received 29,823 signatures from registered Alaska voters.[14]
- May 20, 2025: The Alaska State Legislature adjourned. Because the Legislature did not act on the initiative, the initiative was certified to the ballot.
How to cast a vote
- See also: Voting in Alaska
See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Alaska.
See also
View other measures certified for the 2026 ballot across the U.S. and in Alaska.
Explore Alaska's ballot measure history, including citizen-initiated ballot measures.
Understand how measures are placed on the ballot and the rules that apply.
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Alaska Elections, "Initiative," accessed May 13, 2023
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Anchorage Daily News, "Judges open door wider for out-of-state money in Alaska elections," accessed November 28, 2018
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Citizens Against Money In Politics, "Homepage," accessed January 14, 2025
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 APOC Online Reports, "Campaign Disclosure Forms," accessed January 14, 2025
- ↑ Alaska Department of Elections, "2006 Official Election Pamphlet: Ballot Measures," accessed February 9, 2015
- ↑ Anchorage Daily News, "GOP supporters file suit to loosen Alaska's strict campaign donation limits," accessed November 28, 2018
- ↑ Document Cloud via Anchorage Daily News, "Case No. 17-35019," accessed November 28, 2018
- ↑ US Courts, "Thompson v. Hebdon," July 30, 2021
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Limits on Contributions to Candidates, 2023-2024 Election Cycle," updated May 2023
- ↑ Alaska Department of Elections, "Public Information Packet on Initiatives," accessed January 24, 2024
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Alaska Division of Elections, "Initiative Petition List," accessed May 13, 2023
- ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "Initiative Text," accessed July 11, 2023
- ↑ Alaska Beacon, "Alaska Lt. Gov. Dahlstrom approves campaign-finance ballot measure for 2026 vote," October 19, 2024
- ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "Polling Place Hours," accessed July 15, 2024
- ↑ Find Law, "Alaska Statutes Title 15. Elections 15.15.320. Voters in line when polls close," accessed July 15, 2024
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Alaska Division of Elections, "Who Can Register And Who Can Vote?" accessed July 15, 2024
- ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "Register to Vote or Update Your Voter Registration," accessed July 15, 2024
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Alaska Division of Elections, "State of Alaska Voter Registration Application," accessed July 15, 2024
- ↑ Alaska Department of Revenue, “Automatic voter registration,” accessed July 15, 2024
- ↑ Alaska Division of Elections, "Presidential Elections," accessed July 15, 2024
- ↑ Alaska Department of Revenue, “Automatic voter registration,” accessed March 1, 2023
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ Alaska State Legislature, "Alaska Statutes 2018 Sec. 15.15.225 Voter identification at polls," accessed July 15, 2024
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Alaska Division of Elections, "Voting at the Polling Place Election Day," accessed July 15, 2024
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