Alaskans Fighting to Restore Campaign Finance Limits
A group of passionate Alaskans is on a mission this summer to restore state campaign finance limits. Citizens Against Money in Politics (CAMP) is leading the charge to bring back restrictions on campaign contributions, giving everyday citizens the same power as large corporations and unions.
In the past, Alaska had set up campaign finance limits, but three years ago, the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals deemed them unconstitutional. Now, candidates can receive unlimited direct donations from anyone, even those outside of Alaska, leading to concerns about candidates being beholden to their donors rather than the people they represent.
Jus Tavcar, a volunteer coordinator with CAMP, highlights the overwhelming support for campaign finance limits among Alaskans. In 2006, a ballot initiative imposing contribution limits passed with 73% of the vote, showing a clear desire for accountability and fairness in the political process.
The initiative proposed by CAMP would set contribution limits at $2,000 per election cycle for individual candidates and $5,000 a year for political parties. These limits would be adjusted for inflation every 10 years to ensure they remain constitutionally sound.
While the initiative will not impact contributions from super PACs and independent expenditure groups, it aims to promote better government and accountability to Alaskan voters. The sponsors of the initiative, including state Rep. Calvin Schrage, former Alaska attorney general Bruce Botelho, and business owner David Monson, are working to collect 27,000 signatures to get the initiative on the ballot for 2025.
By advocating for campaign finance limits, CAMP is striving to level the playing field and ensure that all Alaskans have a fair opportunity to participate in the democratic process. With this initiative, they hope to restore balance and integrity to Alaska's political landscape.