Alaskan For Clean Elections Respond to Young Campaign Smear

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 3, 2008


ALASKANS FOR CLEAN ELECTIONS, A NON-PARTISAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE

REFORM GROUP, IS BEING FRAUDULENTLY LISTED ON DISCLAIMER

OF NEGATIVE CANVASSING EFFORT IN ANCHORAGE


(ANCHORAGE) Over the past weekend, Anchorage residents contacted Alaskans for Clean Elections reporting a flyer hanging on their doors with the disclaimer, “Paid for by Alaskans for Clean Elections”. Alaskans for Clean Elections (ACFE) is a non-partisan campaign finance reform group which sponsored a ballot initiative on the August 2008 primary election. The flyer (see attached file) was not paid for by, nor distributed on behalf of AFCE. AFCE had no part in, nor does the group participate in partisan campaign activities.


“Alaskans for Clean Elections had nothing to do with this negative, partisan campaigning,” said Michelle Meyer, Campaign Manager for Alaskans for Clean Elections. She continued, “In fact, this style of campaigning is exactly why we must reform the current political campaign finance system. We have worked for 18 months to educate Alaskans about the need for reform in our electoral system and we certainly don’t want Alaskans to be confused about our organization or its goals.”

When asked, multiple canvassers said they were paid by Nenana Creative Arts. Clean Elections has since learned that Nenana Creative Arts is Don Young’s political sign vendor (see attached files).


Tim June, Chair of Alaskans for Clean Elections, said today “The blatant dirty politics that is on display is the reason we need Clean Elections for Alaska, and for that matter all elections, including federal.”


Sponsors of Alaskans for Clean Elections are exploring all legal options, including the filing of an FEC complaint to investigation violations of federal election laws. “We wish to stop anyone from using the Clean Elections name on negative literature for this, and future elections,” continued June.


For more information contact Alaskans for Clean Elections at 907-230-5617

or via email at michelle@alaskansforcleanelections.org