Following APOC’s unanimous recommendation that Jose Tagle’s nomination not be certified, based on the Commission’s finding that he failed to comply with the disclosure requirements by filing a blank POFD, the Alaska Democratic Party is calling on the lieutenant governor to follow the law and end this months-long fiasco. The DOE also needs a thorough review of how it handles complaints, interacts with other state agencies, and enforces candidate filing requirements.

“Voters deserve better than the DOE turning basic enforcement into a bureaucratic shell game,” said Jenny-Marie, Executive Director of the Alaska Democratic Party. “The Division of Elections threw up its hands and said this was APOC’s responsibility. Now that APOC says Tagle should be removed from the ballot, the Division has no excuse not to follow this recommendation. Come November, Alaskans should remember the incompetence and chaos this leadership has allowed across our election system—and elect leaders who are ready to clean up the mess.”

Alaska voters have a right to know who candidates work for, where their income comes from, and what business interests could influence them in office. Financial disclosure laws are not optional, and filing a blank form should never be seen as compliant. Allowing Tagle to be on the ballot was a massive failure, but the state now has the chance to correct it.

Too much time has already been wasted.