“There oughta be a law” is a common expression when people are frustrated with the behavior of others, the rules of society or the actions of their elected officials.
Well, Alaskans will have an opportunity in the statewide primary election Aug. 18 to approve a new law, limiting the dollar size of donation checks to political campaigns of candidates running for the state Legislature and governor’s office.
This is the chance for voters to do something about taking the money out of politics, limiting big-donor influence and fighting inflation — Alaskans can’t do anything about the price at the gas pump, but they can knock down the escalating cost of running for public office.
The new law would not limit free speech for Alaskans who want to post on social media, knock on doors, give lectures, buy advertising or send junk mail to promote their favorite candidate. It would merely limit how much money they can give to a candidate’s campaign or other political advocacy groups that favor a particular candidate.
A citizens petition drive put the question on the ballot after a federal court struck down the state’s limits on contributions in 2021 and after the Legislature failed to pass a new law in 2022 and again in 2024. Lawmakers succeeded in passing campaign limits this year, but Gov. Mike Dunleavy used his well-worn veto pen, which may be running out of ink, to kill the legislation because he does not believe in limiting political donations.
That leaves it to Alaskans to make the decision whether to place reasonable limits on just how big of a fat check anyone or any group can write for a candidate’s campaign for public office.
The ballot measure would limit individual contributions to $2,000 for each candidate. Individuals could give up to $5,000 to political parties. Groups could write larger checks: $4,000 to candidates, with the same $5,000 limit on donations to groups and parties.
Opponents of the initiative say in their statement in the state election guide: “By putting a cap back on individual donations, this act makes it harder for regular people to have a big impact.” How many “regular people” can afford to hand over more than $2,000 per candidate in each election? That’s a regularly poor excuse to continue the practice of unlimited donations.
In 2006, 73% of Alaska voters cast their ballots to limit campaign donations to $500 for an individual. Though the court struck down those limits in 2021 as too restrictive, backers of this year’s measure have taken the court ruling into account and believe the higher limits will survive a legal challenge.
It’s worth a try. My vote is yes for all the regular people who cannot afford to write more than a $2,000 check.
