Opinion ID: 2584102
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Substantial compliance is consistent with the purposes of the chapter.

Text: Enforcing AS 39.50.060(b) for failing to substantially comply with the disclosure requirements is consistent with the statutorily declared purposes of the disclosure statute. Alaska Statute 39.50.010(a) lists these purposes: (1) to discourage public officials from acting upon a private or business interest in the performance of a public duty; (2) to assure that public officials in their official acts are free of the influence of undisclosed private or business interests; (3) to develop public confidence in persons seeking or holding public office, enhance the dignity of the offices and make them attractive to citizens who are motivated to public service; and (4) to develop accountability in government by permitting public access to information necessary to judge the credentials and performance of those who seek and hold public office. These purposes call for an accurate representation of a candidate's financial interests, but they do not require or imply absolute precision. In the context of subsection.060(b), mandatory forfeiture for public officials who do not strictly comply with the substantive disclosure requirements is not necessary to effectuate these goals. Grimm and McGahan argue that [d]isclosure of the candidate's financial and business interests is required so that voters can make an informed decision at the ballot box. Public access to accurate information is necessary to ensure governmental integrity, but minor errors in disclosure statements do not interfere with the public's ability to judge the credentials of candidates for public office. It would also seem that the expressed purpose of attracting citizens to public office would be defeated if trivial or inconsequential errors could deprive voters of the officers they elected. [28] Furthermore, subsection .010(b)(5) asserts that reasonable disclosure requirements do not have the effect of chilling the exercise of the right of a qualified person to seek or hold public office. The prospect of mandatory forfeiture of elected office despite substantial compliance with AS 39.50 could chill interest in public office.