Clean Elections: Arizona 2004

Publication Date: May 2006

Publisher: National Institute on Money in State Politics (U.S.)

Author(s): Megan Moore

Research Area: Politics

Type: Report

Coverage: Arizona

Abstract:

The Citizens Clean Elections Act, passed in 1998 by 51.2 percent of Arizona voters, established publicly financed elections in Arizona beginning in the 2000 election cycle. Since its inception, the program has sustained legal challenges and an attempt to place a contrary initiative on the Arizona ballot. This year, a bill currently in the Legislature would, if passed, send a measure to voters aimed at scrapping public funding.

These attempts at repealing public funding notwithstanding, the percentage of candidates choosing
to participate in the Clean Elections program and reject private money has increased each year since the program began in 2000.