Alaska State Legislature

News From The House Majority

Ken Freeman, Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org

For Immediate Release: March 12, 1997 Contact: Rep. Al Vezey (907) 465-3719

HB 112 TO GO TO HOUSE VOTE

JUNEAU - Monday the House Finance Committee passed out of committee HB 112, a bill introduced by Rep. Al Vezey (R-North Pole) which would expand the definition of a political party.

The legislation makes it easier for a political party to qualify as a political party under Alaska Statutes.

Currently, in order to qualify as a political party, a party must run a candidate in the gubernatorial election and that candidate must receive 3 percent of the total votes cast for governor. If a party does not run a candidate for governor, it loses its legal status as a party.

HB 112 would add an additional means of qualifying as a political party. If a party has voters registered as members of their party equal to 3 percent of the votes cast for governor in the last election, they will be recognized as a political party. This would allow a party to maintain its party status without having to run a candidate for governor. Currently this amounts to approximately 6500 registered voters.

Rep. Vezey told the committee that the issue is not ballot access. Recognized parties would be able to elect whether or not to run a candidate for governor and anyone who could collect approximately 2200 signatures on a petition, could get their name placed on the ballot for governor.

"Alaska has not elected a governor by a majority since 1970. By allowing another means for parties to maintain their status as a party, we might be able to encourage candidates who are not serious about winning from actually running for office," said Vezey.