Current:Home > InvestSupporters of effort to repeal ranked voting in Alaska violated rules, report finds -×
Supporters of effort to repeal ranked voting in Alaska violated rules, report finds
View
Date:2025-04-15 13:32:11
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! (29)
Related
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Women's Final Four winners, losers: Gabbie and 'Swatkins' step up; UConn's offense stalls
- Zach Edey and Purdue power their way into NCAA title game, beating N.C. State 63-50
- GalaxyCoin: Discover new ways to buy and trade Bitcoin
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Earthquakes happen all over the US, here's why they're different in the East
- Earthquakes happen all over the US, here's why they're different in the East
- South Carolina coach Dawn Staley thinks Iowa's Caitlin Clark needs a ring to be the GOAT
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- How Teen Mom's Maci Bookout Talks to 15-Year-Old Son Bentley About Sex and Relationships
Ranking
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- South Carolina could finish season undefeated. What other teams have pulled off the feat?
- These Facts About Candace Cameron Bure Won't Fill Your House but They'll Expand Your Mind
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Ex Ryan Anderson Breaks His Silence After Split
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Miami-area shootout leaves security guard and suspect dead, police officer and 6 others injured
- Earthquakes happen all over the US, here's why they're different in the East
- Caitlin Clark leads Iowa rally for 71-69 win over UConn in women’s Final Four. South Carolina awaits
Recommendation
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Air ambulance crew administered drug to hot air balloon pilot after crash that killed 4, report says
North Carolina State's Final Four run ends against Purdue but it was a run to remember and savor
Fans return to Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' ahead of total solar eclipse
The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
Alabama's roster of unlikely heroes got it to Final Four and could be key against Connecticut
Why South Carolina will beat Iowa and win third women's national championship
WrestleMania 40 winners, highlights from night one: The Rock returns and much more