There are specific requirements to apply. Prospective candidates must have been registered with the same political party or as an independent for the past five years. Because the Commission already has two Democrats and two Republicans, the new commissioner must be a registered independent or a member of another political party. In addition, the person must not have held or run for public office or served as an officer of a political party within the last five years.

The prospective candidate must live in a county other than Maricopa. Commission rules prohibit having more than two commissioners from the same county. Because the Commission currently has two Maricopa County residents, any new commissioner must be from one of Arizona’s 14 other counties.

The application deadline is June 30, 2011. To apply, visit the Commission’s website, http://www.azcleanelections.gov. Click on the button “Click Here to Apply” and follow the instructions. Commission members are barred from seeking or holding any public office, serving as an officer of a political party, and employing or being employed as a lobbyist during their term on the Commission and for three years following. They are paid $250 for every day the Commission meets and reimbursed for travel expenses. The Citizens Clean Elections Act, which was passed by voters in 1998, created a new campaign financing system that provides full public funding to qualified candidates who agree to abide by Citizens Clean Elections Commission guidelines. For more information visit Citizens Clean Elections Commission website http://www.azcleanelections.gov.