The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 19, 2023
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We’re updating a story we’ve been following in Alaska, where fines have been recommended for a church, an associated church organization, and a pastor accused of making alleged illegal and unreported political contributions supporting an effort to repeal Ranked Choice Voting.
The Alaska Public Offices Commission staff has recommended combined fines of almost $50,000 to Wellspring Ministries, the Ranked Choice Education Association, Alaskans for Honest Elections, and Art Mathias, a pastor or principal in all three organizations, according to reporting by Alaska Public Media.
The Commission’s staff found that Mathias made donations totalling $90,000 to Ranked Choice Education Association. That group is registered as an affiliated church organization, but allegedly funneled that money to support Alaskans for Honest Elections, a group leading a citizen ballot initiative signature drive to repeal Alaska’s new ranked choice voting and open primary system. The organizations involved were cited for not properly reporting the contributions, other expenses, and proper “Paid for By” disclosures on websites and videos. Alaska officials noted that the IRS has jurisdiction on investigating whether an illegal charitable tax deduction was taken for the $90,000 contribution.
A final decision by the Alaska Public Offices Commission is expected later this month, according to the Anchorage Daily News. Recommendations are pending on another anti-RCV group for similar reporting failures.
We have the Commission’s report and local articles at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Alaska Public Offices Commission – Staff Report for Alaskans for Better Elections v. Alaskans for Honest
Elections, Alaskans for Honest Government, Wellspring Ministries, Wellspring Fellowship,
Ranked Choice Education Association, Art Mathias and Phillip Izon.
Alaska Public Media – APOC staff recommends fines for opponents of Alaska’s ranked choice voting
Anchorage Daily News – State watchdog finds ballot group violated Alaska laws in effort to repeal ranked choice voting
Alaska Beacon – Two more Alaska ballot measures pass legal muster, but another is disqualified
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