The League of Women Voters of Alaska is a nonpartisan organization. We don’t support or oppose candidates or parties, but we do take positions on issues after reaching consensus based on careful and extensive study.

We are supportive of Ballot Measure 1, which will be on Alaska’s primary election ballot, and which restores campaign finance limits in Alaska. The initiative will allow individuals to compete more equitably for public office. It also closes the door on unlimited contributions from individuals and reduces the risk — and the appearance — of donors gaining undue influence over our elected officials.

In 2006, 73% of Alaskan voters approved similar contribution limits to keep large money from dominating the state’s elections.

Some of Alaska’s prior campaign contribution limits were struck down in 2021 by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled they were too low and lacked an inflation-adjustment component. After the ruling, an individual could make unlimited contributions to candidates and groups, which meant the possibility of an unfair impact on a race’s outcome.

Ballot Measure 1 puts guardrails and limitations on donations to in-state candidates. It shifts the contribution limits under state law from an annual timeframe to an election cycle. This levels the playing field between incumbents and non-incumbents.

Ballot Measure 1 also includes a mechanism to periodically adjust the allowable contribution level, based on consumer inflation rates, to ensure contributions can fairly keep pace with inflation.

The ballot measure restores reasonable, common-sense limits that Alaskans have already shown they support, protects the integrity of our elections and helps ensure that everyday Alaskans — not just the wealthiest donors — have a meaningful voice in choosing who represents us.

The League of Women Voters of Alaska urges voters to support Ballot Measure 1 on the Aug. 18 primary ballot.

Sarah Moore,

Marianne Mills

co-presidents

League of Women Voters of Alaska