Here are the Rules for Running for the General Election:
– Write-in candidates must show at least 5% standing in the polls to be included. The percentage would NOT include the margin of error in the poll. The poll must be done by a reputable pollster and presented to Alaska Public Media at least one week before the production – either the record date or the live date.
– If a candidate running in a contested race chooses not to take part, the other candidate will be afforded the opportunity to speak directly to voters for two minutes. If neither candidate wants to take part, we will exclude the particular race from the programming.
– A candidate must appear on the ballot for a particular election. For example: Unaffiliated or other candidates not appearing on the primary ballot would not be invited to participate in the program featuring candidates on the primary ballot.
However, unaffiliated or other candidates on the ballot for the general election would be invited to appear in the program featuring general election candidates.
– Appearance during the recording of the program constitutes agreement to appear on the broadcast program. This means if Alaska Public Media records the program, the program will be broadcast. Candidates may not choose to withhold their appearance from broadcast.
– Candidates may elect to have one member of his/her family or one member of his/her staff be seated in the studio during the recording of a program. There may be special recordings by other news media in which case the candidates will be informed of the rules.
– No one (candidate or guest) will be allowed to record or photograph the program while it is being recorded.
– Statements made during the recording are embargoed and may not be used by a candidate his/her staff, supporter or family, in any way.
Alaska Public Media, however, may determine that contents of the program are newsworthy and may report the news in advance of the program’s broadcast date.
– Unopposed candidates typically will be given two (2) minutes to speak directly to voters. They must abide by the format of the recording or their segment will not be broadcast or posted online. This would include stating their names, parties and districts or seats. These segments may be broadcast and/or posted online.
These rules apply to candidates for the state legislature and could apply to other municipal races. Revised August-2014.
