Wisconsin voters have approved two constitutional amendments aimed at banning private funds, known as 'Zuckerbucks,' from being used in election administration in the state. The measures, pushed by Republican lawmakers, passed after clearing the majority threshold of Wisconsin voters.
These amendments will prohibit clerks from accepting private grant money to assist in conducting elections and mandate that only election officials can oversee elections. State GOP Chairman Brian Schimming stated, 'Wisconsin has spoken, and the message is clear: elections belong to voters, not out-of-state billionaires.'
Opposition from Democrats centered on concerns that the amendments would complicate election processes. They particularly questioned the interpretation and implementation of the provisions related to election workers by local officials.
The amendments were a response to grant money received in 2020 from the Center for Tech and Civic Life, a group advocating for voter access. The organization had received a $300 million donation from Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, to aid election officials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Republicans argued that such funding disproportionately benefits Democrats in elections. The Election Transparency Initiative (ETI) National Chairman Ken Cuccinelli expressed satisfaction with the ban on 'Zuckerbucks,' emphasizing the need to prevent partisan influence in elections.
Wisconsin becomes the 28th state to restrict the use of private funds in elections, joining others like Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Arizona. The move is seen as a significant step towards ensuring the integrity of the voting process in the state.
Advocates of the amendments believe that the changes will have a lasting impact, instilling greater confidence in future elections. The Honest Elections Project's executive director, Jason Snead, praised the passage of the ballot measures as a crucial step in safeguarding election administration from private influences.
