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Sometimes it’s hard to feel optimistic about Alaska. A former mayor of Fairbanks, convicted of pocketing taxpayer dollars intended for charity, is heading for federal prison. Once there, he’ll join several former state legislators convicted of taking bribes. Alaska’s senior senator and lone representative in Congress are both under criminal investigation. From local to state to federal offices, corruption and graft appear to be the Alaska norm.

Yet there are more signs of hope than despair. Locally, we have seen a sea change in our politics. A few years ago, there was a string of arrests and scandals involving borough officials who were part of — or closely tied to — a narrow clique of local politicians who were caught holding an illegal secret meeting to plot strategy for increasing their power. This wasn’t lost on voters who appear to have had enough of that gang, since neither they nor the candidates they endorse win many elections these days. The system is working and our current assemblypeople are behaving themselves.

Things have also improved on the state level. In 2006, thousands of independent voters flooded the Republican gubernatorial primary and nominated Sarah Palin for governor, finally sending the arrogant, backroom-dealing Frank Murkowski into retirement. Palin went on to win the general election with broad support from independents. Her subsequent popularity across the political spectrum is evidence that when independent voters can swing primary elections, better candidates are chosen for general elections.

Meanwhile, the state senator from my district, who had fought hard for lobbyists and against ethical reforms, lost his reelection campaign by a landslide. This helped a bipartisan, centrist majority assume control of the state senate and this year’s legislative session ran smoother than any in recent memory. Ethics in Juneau also seem to have improved a bit, particularly after lawmakers watched several colleagues go to jail.

This quiet revolution has been very good for Fairbanks and Alaska. And there are several steps voters can take to keep it going.

First, if you aren’t already registered as a nonpartisan, do so now. This sends a message to both political parties that your vote cannot be taken for granted and must be earned. It also gives you the choice of which party’s ballot you wish to vote on in August’s statewide primary.

Second, take a Republican ballot in the primary and vote for Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell for the House of Representatives. Our present representative, Don Young, is buried in scandal and has become a toxic presence on Capitol Hill. If he’s nominated, this fall’s election will be dominated by nastiness, attack ads, and little substance. However, if Parnell is on the ballot then no matter who the Democrats nominate, the election is bound to be more civil. Instead of focusing on the ethical lapses of our current representative, candidates and voters will be able to debate the many serious issues facing the state and nation.

Third, vote “yes” on the Alaska Clean Elections Initiative that will appear on the primary ballot. This will establish a public funding mechanism for political campaigns in Alaska. Such systems are presently at work in seven states, ranging from liberal Vermont to conservative Arizona, and are both popular and successful. Public funding will give candidates the option of avoiding the fundraising process altogether and concentrating on the needs of their potential constituents instead.

Public funding under this initiative will not be mandatory. Candidates will retain the option of raising private funds rather than accepting public dollars. However, when Alaskans are faced with a choice between one candidate who is publicly financed and another who takes his money from wealthy Florida land speculators, they will implicitly know who is most likely to represent their interests. As the VECO bribery scandal demonstrated, there is very little that some politicians won’t do for campaign money.

Fourth and finally, vote. Corrupt officials depend on voter apathy. Thanks in part to low election turnouts, Alaska has spawned a class of politicians who are ruthless, dishonest and greedy, and who consider themselves above the law. This contrasts tremendously with Alaskans themselves, who are generally kind, honest, generous and law-abiding.

This is our state. We deserve leaders who reflect our values. Locally and statewide, we’ve begun to toss out some of the bums and replace them with better people. This year we have an excellent opportunity to continue this process. And that’s why, despite the glut of recent scandals, I’m feeling optimistic about Alaska.