Arizona is one of eleven states that lets state income taxpayers send a small monetary contribution to the party of the taxpayer’s choice. Ballot Access News has been tracking contributions to each party, for these states, starting in 2000.
Arizona taxpayers who used the political party checkoff during the first six months of 2018 seem unusually supportive of the Libertarian and Green Parties, relative to the recent past. These small money amounts increase the amount of state income tax payment from the taxpayer; they do not subtract any money from the state treasury.
The 2018 amount so far for the Libertarian Party is $1,008. This is not a massive amount, but it is the highest for the party since 2010. The 2017 Libertarian amount was only $382.
The 2018 amount so far for the Green Party is $796. This is the highest for the Green Party since 2002. The Green total for 2017 was only $326.
By contrast, the 2018 amount for the Republican Party is $7,562, down from the Republican Party’s 2017 total of $10,056.
The 2018 amount for the Democratic Party is $12,816, down from that party’s 2017 total of $15,199.
The September 1 2018 print issue of BAN will have the data for all the states.
How small are the amounts from each taxpayer ???
@DR,
There does not appear to be a limit on the amount of the contribution. It is on the income tax form after you have figured out your liability minus prepayments (withholding, estimate tax, etc.). It is unlike in some states where the amount is a small amount (e.g. $5/$10) but is a credit from the taxes due.
If your refund was a relative small amount, you might be inclined to give it to a political party. If you are due a refund of $37, you might give it to the party rather than get a check that you have to deal with. You can contribute more than your refund. But seriously, who would do that? You are due for a refund of $37, would you give $100 to a political party and write a check to the state for $63 to cover the difference? This is about as likely as someone leaving a note for the tooth fairy to send the cash to a political party?
Democrats and Republicans are pretty good at shaking down contributors, so there might be a smaller share who add in a bit more. Republicans might be better at estimating their withholding so they are not due refunds. Libertarians might believe that Libertarians will end the income tax.
Can you do a surname analysis on the contributors to look for racially polarized donating?
Just kidding!
But are the donations anonymous?