Opinion ID: 3036695
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Facial Challenge to Candidate Identification

Text: AKRTL argues that the definition of “electioneering communication” is unconstitutionally vague on its face because the candidate must be identified “directly or indirectly” rather than “clearly,” as in the federal definition. Specifically, AKRTL argues that the use of the word “indirectly” is constitutionally fatal. We disagree. [3] The federal and the Alaska definitions operate in the same way. Under both definitions, if the candidate is identified by the communication, it is an “electioneering communication.” Under both definitions, it does not matter how the identification of the candidate takes place. The federal definition specifies no method of identification. The Alaska definition specifies that the method may be direct or indirect; however, since the words “direct and indirect” together describe the complete universe of possible methods of identification, the Alaska statute has the actual effect of requiring no specific method of identification, just like the federal definition. If the Alaska definition had only used the word “directly,” omitting the word “indirectly,” it would have left open the possibility that a communication identifying a candidate would have escaped regulation. As we stated in rejecting the “magic words” approach in our opinion in Furgatch, A proper understanding of the speaker’s message can best be obtained by considering speech as a whole. Comprehension often requires inferences 3018 ALASKA RIGHT TO LIFE v. MILES from the relation of one part of speech to another. The entirety may give a clear impression that is never succinctly stated in a single phrase or sen- tence. 807 F.2d at 863. [4] The Alaska legislature chose two words — “directly” and “indirectly” — that in combination were well suited to its purpose of regulating campaign communications identifying particular candidates. “Indirectly” is an easily understood word in common English usage. In the context in which it is used, it is neither vague nor difficult to understand. We therefore reject AKRTL’s facial vagueness challenge to the definition of “electioneering communication.”