Signature requirements set for 2012 congressional candidate petitions

Our office has released the 2012 signature requirements for congressional candidates.

Signature requirements, established by a formula set in state statute, are based upon state and local voter registration figures as of March 1, 2012. Nomination petitions for federal, statewide and legislative candidates must be submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office. The office is located on the 7th floor of the Executive Tower at the state Capitol, 1700 W. Washington Street in Phoenix.

The first day that candidates may file petitions is April 30. The last day for candidates to file is May 30.

Note: Please see the attached requirements for valid signatures that must be collected and submitted by candidates hoping to qualify for the 2012 ballot in Arizona. Legislative district signature requirements will be available shortly after the Department of Justice approves maps submitted by the Independent Redistricting Commission.

Visit www.azsos.gov for more information.

CONGRESSIONAL SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS

 Arizona’s number of registered voters has risen to 3,151,615.  An increase of 17,381 since the last report in February.

 Of the state’s 3.1 million voters, 1,134,094 are Republicans, 952,907 are Democrats and 1,037,007 have either registered with independent parties or not designated a party preference.

 Libertarians make up a little less than one percent of the state’s total registration with 22,530, while 4,929 voters are currently registered as members of the Green Party.  Additionally, the Americans Elect Party has enrolled 148 voters since joining the state’s other recognized political parties last year.

 It’s an encouraging sign when we see an uptick in voter registration.  Important choices lie ahead and we urge voters to participate in the process during the next seven months of the election cycle.

 The latest voter registration figures compiled by county, congressional district and legislative district are available on the Secretary of State’s website, www.azsos.gov or by calling 1-877-THE-VOTE.

Governor Brewer Signs WWII Memorial Legislation into Law

Bill Authorizes Placement of WWII Memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza

 

Governor Jan Brewer’s signature on a bill clearing the way for the construction of a complete WWII Memorial in Phoenix has brought our vision to reality.

 

Over the last year,the Salute the Fallen Committee have worked tirelessly to bring a 14” gun barrel from the USS Arizona and a 16″ barrel from the USS Missouri to Phoenix for permanent display in Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in front of our state capitol.  It’s our hope that adding two visible bookends from the war will encourage people to reflect and admire the strength and courage it takes to defend a nation.

 

Senate Bill 1126, signed into law by the Governor last week, allows gun barrels from the historic battleships to be placed between the USS Arizona’s anchor and signal mast, which are currently located at either end of the planned Memorial. 

 

The passage of this legislation into law is not insignificant.  The Governor’s signature and swift action taken by the legislature pay tribute to the fallen heroes of World War II and recognizes the hard work of those who returned and transformed our state into the place we call home.  Our committee, donors, volunteers and corporate sponsors express our deepest gratitude and we appreciate their commitment to preserve our history and honor those who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom.

 

We would also like to thank Phoenix Rotary 100 for their collaboration on this effort.  They generously agreed to act as our sponsoring charity and designated a special committee to assist with our project.  President Jon Bauman and Campaign Co-Chair’s Jerry Oliver and Karny Stefan have been essential in building broad-based community support and fundraising help.

 

Finally, it has been an honor to work with Director Joe Strickland and the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services who are supporting this project.

 

Over the next few months, the gun barrels will be transported from Virginia to Arizona, with Secretary Bennett attending the lift of the USS Arizona barrel in April.  To track the barrel’s progress and location as they travel their way across the country, visit www.GunsToSaluteTheFallen.com.

 

Too often we forget about how far we’ve actually gotten away from honoring our Nation’s fallen soldiers.  Our veterans have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of all of us, and it is our responsibility to honor that sacrifice.  I would encourage anyone who can to get involved in our WWII Memorial project.  People can visit our site to find out what they can do to get involved, or simply make a contribution to Salute the Fallen.

 

Tax deductible contributions may be made out to:

 

Phoenix Rotary Charities,  “WWII Memorial Project”  -  501 E. Osborn Rd. Phoenix, Arizona 85012

Arizona Secretary of State, “Guns to Salute the Fallen” - 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

E-Qual Off to a Good Start

In an effort to make the candidate nomination process more efficient and secure for voters and candidates, the Arizona Secretary of State’s office has officially launched E-Qual, an electronic petition and $5 qualifying contribution system.  The new online application allows candidates to collect up to 50 percent of their required signatures and $5 qualifying contributions.

In 2011, the state legislature established the pilot program enabling the collection of nominating petition signatures and Clean Elections qualifying contributions in a secure online environment.  After a voter’s identity is authenticated, E-Qual matches the voter with the candidates for which they are eligible to sign a nominating petition or make a $5 contribution.  Only statewide and legislative candidates are eligible for E-Qual.

Candidates and voters will find E-Qual is simple, secure and convenient. Over the past few years our office has taken steps to modernize many of our election processes.  With technological enhancements made to voter registration, ballot security and campaign finance, Arizonans have a system of elections that is consistent with today’s technologies.

Each day, Arizonans shop, pay their mortgage and do their banking online.  Developing a process that allows them to sign a candidate petition on their computer rather than outside the mall or grocery store will encourage more people to get involved with our electoral process.  While candidates still must continue the traditional way of circulating petitions, we anticipate E-Qual will facilitate participation in a positive and efficient manner.

Here is a list of the candidates who have chosen to participate as of March 19.

2012

HEATHER CARTER
State Representative – District 7

KATE BROPHY MCGEE
State Representative – District 11

Kelly J Townsend
State Representative – District 22

Rick Gray
State Representative – District 9

Matthew Cerra
State Representative – District 22

JEFF DIAL
State Representative – District 20

ROBERT “BOB” BURNS
Corporation Commissioner

MICHELE REAGAN
State Senator – District No. 8

Susan Bitter Smith
Corporation Commissioner

Daniel Patterson
State Representative – District 29

Warren Petersen
State Representative – District 22

Scott Michael Prior
State Senator – District No. 22

Karyn Lathan
State Representative – District 21

Marcia Busching
Corporation Commissioner

Bryan Kilgore, Sr.
State Representative – District 12

ANDREW Michael TOBIN
State Representative – District 1

Jeanette Dubreil
State Representative – District 4

Rick Murphy
State Senator – District No. 9

Andrea Dalessandro
State Representative – District 30

Reginald Bolding, Jr.
State Representative – District 16

Bob Stump
Corporation Commissioner

Martin J. Quezada
State Representative – District 13

Michelle B Ugenti
State Representative – District 8

Rosanna Gabaldon
State Representative – District 2

Jonathan Larkin
State Representative – District 10

EDWARD Z ABLESER
State Representative – District 17

John Fillmore
State Senator – District No. 23

Jo Holt
State Senator – District No. 26

OLIVIA CAJERO BEDFORD
State Senator – District No. 27

DEBBIE LESKO
State Representative – District 9

Karen Elizabeth Fann, Ms.
State Representative – District 1

JOHN MCCOMISH
State Senator – District No. 20

EDDIE FARNSWORTH
State Representative – District 22

BRENT FINE
State Representative – District 20

ANDY BIGGS
State Senator – District No. 12

WYATT BROOKS
State Representative – District 3

KELLI WARD
State Senator – District No. 3

Sandra Kennedy
Corporation Commissioner

Lorenzo Sierra, Jr.
State Representative – District 13

Paul Newman
Corporation Commissioner

Lori Klein
State Senator – District No. 6

Mark Holub Stonebraker
State Representative – District 25

GEORGE ARREDONDO, SR
State Representative – District 23

Phil Lovas
State Representative – District 4

Paul Boyer
State Representative – District 10

Thomas R Shope, Jr.
State Representative – District 23

J. D. Mesnard
State Representative – District 21

EMILY VERDUGO
State Representative – District 23

DORIS GOODALE
State Representative – District 3

ADAM DRIGGS
State Senator – District No. 11

LEAH LANDRUM
State Senator – District No. 16

AMANDA A REEVE
State Representative – District 28

John Christopher Ackerley
State Representative – District 30

DON SHOOTER
State Senator – District No. 24

John Kavanagh
State Representative – District 8

STEPHEN M PIERCE
State Senator – District No. 1

BOB ROBSON
State Representative – District 20

Douglas Kent Coleman
State Representative – District 22

David Alan Livingston
State Representative – District 4

Larry Chesley
State Representative – District 21

Justin Winters
State Representative – District 23

Jennifer Petersen
State Representative – District 8

Tom Nerini
State Representative – District 24

PATRICIA V FLEMING
State Senator – District No. 25

ERIC MEYER
State Representative – District 11

William M. Gates (aka Bill Gates)
State Senator – District No. 21

MACARIO SALDATE, IV
State Representative – District 27

Bill Maher
State Representative – District 22

ERNEST BUSTAMANTE
State Representative – District 23

Sarah Coleman
State Senator – District No. 16

DANIEL COLEMAN
State Representative – District 16

MARTIN SAMANIEGO
State Representative – District 12

G David DeLozier
State Representative – District 7

JEANNE Swarthout
State Representative – District 6

Ted Vogt
State Representative – District 30

ALBERT JORDAN
State Representative – District 29

Stefin Sun Hehman
Corporation Commissioner

Beth L Weisser
State Senator – District No. 3

Steve Farley
State Senator – District No. 28

TODD A CLODFELTER
State Senator – District No. 30

Robert Worsley
State Senator – District No. 19

Victoria Steele
State Representative – District 26

Victor Jett Contreras
State Senator – District No. 16

Darin Fisher
State Representative – District 18

Angela LeFevre
State Representative – District 1

2014

KEN BENNETT
Governor

JOHN HUPPENTHAL
Superintendent of Public Instruction

Secretary Bennett and Representative Yee Introduce Bill to Increase Sunshine in Arizona

While Phoenix is home to nearly 300 days of bright sunshine a year, Secretary of State Ken Bennett and State Representative Kimberly Yee (District 10) are seeking to apply some of the state’s abundant UV rays to Arizona’s elected officials financial disclosure statements and lobbyist filings.

Currently, financial disclosure statements are only available by filling out a public records request and either purchasing a copy of the documents, or viewing them at the Secretary of State’s office. Representative Yee’s bill (HB 2033) introduced today, appropriates general fund resources to the Secretary of State for the development and maintenance of an electronic database where elected officials, companies and lobbyists will file their statements.

“Over and over we hear that ‘sunshine is the best disinfectant,’” said Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett. “Representative Yee’s bill to develop a user-friendly and searchable electronic database of information is a great step to provide an additional level of transparency for the public.”

“The electronic database will make it easier for the public to view the statements, and will feature the ability for citizens to better inform themselves on their elected representatives financial interests and lobbyist activities,” said Representative Yee.

Every public officer, or candidates for statewide or legislative office must file a financial disclosure statement with the Secretary of State’s office. Failure to file by the deadline can include civil penalties and if public officers or candidates are found to have knowingly filed an incomplete or false statement they may be found guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.

“The Fiesta Bowl controversy brought to light a number of issues with the reporting system, including public access to the documents,” continued Secretary Bennett. “In fact, our office began to post the financial disclosures on our website months ago. Representative Yee’s bill will revamp the process to be more accountable to voters, and allows people to view the statements in a manner consistent with today’s technologies.”

“The public has a right to know who is influencing their government,” said Yee. “This legislation will provide the public an opportunity to find out who is taking who to lunch, and how often, without burdensome red tape. Public disclosure of this important information will keep elected officials accountable, and we will be able to track how special interest groups spend their money.”

The legislation builds on Secretary Bennett’s and Representative Yee’s reputation as advocates for open and responsive state government. In 2011, the Arizona Newspapers Association recognized those efforts to improve access and awarded them with the annual Freedom of Information Award.

Citizens United Entities

Any entity that makes an independent expenditures and that is organized primarily for the purpose of influencing an election shall file with the filing officer as a political committee. § 16-914.02 (K)

In a victory for free speech, the US Supreme Court ruled in January of 2010 that unions, corporations and LLC’s could spend unlimited amounts on independent expenditures to influence elections. (Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission) Later that year, Arizona enacted legislation that governs the activities of these “Citizen United” entities. Today, Secretary of State Ken Bennett held a news conference to discuss the requirements for these entities and announced a random audit of those who have registered as such.

Arizona’s law is clear that any entity whose primary purpose is to influence elections, they must register as a political committee, disclose their contributors and list their expenditures. With very few exceptions, these groups must make known who is expressing their political speech and therefore influencing an election.

Over two dozen groups have been formed since Arizona provided the framework for “Citizen United” entities last year. Some of these who have participated in state and local elections have drawn bipartisan criticism and legal challenges.

We’ve seen a number of these entities participating in elections in Phoenix and Legislative District 18 over the last few months. During that time, the city clerk and our office received numerous complaints on the activities of these entities. In response, our office has reached out to these groups to bring them into compliance with the law. Many have disagreed with our requests and declined to register as political committees or file required expenditure notifications. As a result, they will now have the opportunity to make their case to state prosecutors.

Our office will never stand in the way of the right to exercise political speech, but hiding contributions and expenditures which influence elections circumvents transparency and disclosure. As reasonable regulators, we consistently work with political committees, candidates and other organizations to ensure that they are compliant with campaign finance law. But if we determine that any of these entities are influencing elections and not abiding by state requirements, we will not hesitate refer these cases to the Attorney General for enforcement.

Over the next month, the Secretary of State’s office will be conducting a random audit of organizations that have registered as “Citizen United” entities that properly registered. As a part of the review, the office is requesting a detailed description of their activities to help determine whether their primary purpose may be influencing elections.

Many of these groups are doing things right and playing by the rules. It’s important that our office provide as much clarity as possible as we move into next year’s busy election cycle, and this audit will help us all do that.

News Conference Today

Today I will be holding a news conference to discuss the laws related to “Citizen United” entities and independent expenditures made to influence elections  and also announcing a random audit of these entities.

Our news conference will be held at our office in the Executive Office Tower, 7th floor conference room.

The US Supreme Court ruled that unions, corporations and LLC’s could spend unlimited amounts on independent expenditures to influence elections in January of 2010. (Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission)  Since then, numerous “Citizen United” entities have spent money advocating for and against various candidates or ballot measures.

In an effort to improve transparency and disclosure, we will discuss filing requirements and outline penalties for non-compliance.

The media is invited to attend.