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Phil Lopes, PC in Precinct 16, LD 3
(This article is reprinted from the December, 2017 LD9 Newsletter)
In November 1998, Arizona voters passed the Citizens Clean Elections Act, a groundbreaking reform measure that provides public campaign funds to candidates running for state office who voluntarily forgo the use of special interest money in their campaigns.
The law is designed to:
◾Lessen the influence of special interest and big money donors in public policy making.
◾Restore confidence in the integrity of elected officials through the creation of a regulatory board to review campaign finances and enforce Arizona campaign finance laws.
◾Encourage competition and increase voter choice by enabling qualified candidates of all political persuasions to run for office.
◾Increase voter participation in the electoral process.
◾Increase the time candidates spend with voters and information available to voters.
◾Free candidates from the time-consuming task of fundraising.
How does it work?
Candidates who participate in Clean Elections must demonstrate broad public support in their districts or across the state by raising a large number of very small – $5 – contributions along with gathering the required petition signatures. Candidates also must agree to adhere to spending limits and raising very limited private money. Democrats as well as Independents can make Clean Election contributions. While you can only SIGN one nomination petition, you can give $5 to multiple primary competitors.
Once qualified, candidates receive a specified amount of public funding for their primary and general-election races.
Where does the Clean Elections Fund get its money?
The Clean Elections Fund is supported by voluntary tax credit contributions, the candidates’ $5 contributions and a surcharge on civil and criminal fines.
Phil Lopes represented District 27 – now LD 3 – in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2003-2011. He served as House Minority Leader from 2005-2009 and always ran “clean.’’
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