Current:Home > MarketsSupporters of effort to repeal ranked voting in Alaska violated rules, report finds -Nova Finance Academy
Supporters of effort to repeal ranked voting in Alaska violated rules, report finds
View
Date:2025-04-12 18:35:08
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Backers of an effort to repeal ranked voting in Alaska violated state campaign finance rules, including by channeling money through a church-affiliated organization in a way that initially concealed the source of the contributions, a new report alleges.
The report, from the staff for the Alaska Public Offices Commission, recommends penalties of $22,500 for Art Mathias, a leader of the repeal effort, and around $20,000 for the church-affiliated Ranked Choice Education Association among its findings. The report alleges that Mathias, also president of the association, contributed money to the association knowing it “would be repurposed to support” the ballot group behind the repeal effort and that he gave $90,000 using the association as a “third party conduit.”
Those contributing at least $500 to an initiative application group must report that no later than 30 days after making the contribution. Mathias contributed $90,000 in late December, and in a June filing the association reported Mathias as the source of its contributions to the ballot group, the report states.
The report still must be considered by the commission, which is charged with enforcing campaign finance rules in the state.
An email seeking comment was sent Wednesday to Kevin Clarkson, an attorney for Mathias, the association and others that were the focus of a complaint filed this summer. But Clarkson in an earlier response to the complaint said the association was “entitled” to donate to the ballot group and that the association and Mathias “made no effort to hide” Mathias’ contributions.
The complaint was filed by Alaskans for Better Elections, the group that successfully pushed a 2020 ballot measure that replaced party primaries with open primaries and ranked choice general elections. The first elections conducted in Alaska under the new system were held last year.
One of the attorneys behind the complaint, Scott Kendall, was an author of the 2020 ranked choice initiative.
The complaint alleged that the Ranked Choice Education Association appeared to have been created as a “passthrough entity, allowing donors to unlawfully conceal their identities behind the RCEA’s name while also potentially providing those donors with an unwarranted tax deduction.”
The public offices commission staff report said it did not weigh allegations around potential tax deductions because that is an issue beyond the agency’s jurisdiction.
Clarkson said allegations around “‘unlawful’ tax deductions are both uninformed and unknowledgeable. In any event, the only government agency with jurisdiction to adjudicate tax-exempt status and the lawfulness of federal income tax deductions that may or may not be claimed, is the IRS.”
The report from commission staff also recommended lesser penalties for reporting and other alleged violations by Alaskans for Honest Elections, the ballot group behind the repeal effort, and another group called Alaskans for Honest Government. The ballot group has been gathering signatures in a bid to get the proposed repeal initiative on the ballot.
veryGood! (36)
Related
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Lawyers ask federal appeals court to block the nation’s first execution by nitrogen hypoxia
- Coco Gauff avoids Australian Open upset as Ons Jabeur, Carolina Wozniacki are eliminated
- The Integration of EIF Tokens in the Financial Sector
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- At 40, the Sundance Film Festival celebrates its past and looks to the future
- 'Say Something' tip line in schools flags gun violence threats, study finds
- Proposed Louisiana congressional map, with second majority-Black district, advances
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- The Supreme Court takes up major challenges to the power of federal regulators
Ranking
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Jordan Love's incredible rise validates once-shocking move by Packers GM Brian Gutekunst
- How Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade Become One of Hollywood's Biggest Success Stories
- Lawyers ask federal appeals court to block the nation’s first execution by nitrogen hypoxia
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- US election commission loses another executive director as critical election year begins
- A Guide to Michael Strahan's Family World
- Proposed Louisiana congressional map, with second majority-Black district, advances
Recommendation
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Russian missiles hit Ukrainian apartment buildings and injure 17 in latest strikes on civilian areas
Attention, Taco Bell cinnamon twist lovers. There's a new breakfast cereal for you.
Wrestler Hulk Hogan helps rescue teenage girl trapped after Florida car crash
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
Carlos Beltrán was the fall guy for a cheating scandal. He still may make the Hall of Fame
Heavy snowfall and freezing rain cause flight, train cancellations across Germany
Shark attacks 10-year-old Maryland boy during expedition in shark tank at resort in Bahamas