Wisconsin voters have overwhelmingly endorsed amendments to the state constitution that prohibit external financial contributions for election administration. This decision aligns Wisconsin with over two dozen states that have already implemented restrictions following the 2020 elections, a period marked by substantial donations from figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan to facilitate voting amidst the pandemic. The couple’s contributions, intended to support mail voting and ensure safety measures, were met with skepticism by many who feared an undue influence on the electoral process, particularly because the former President was lambasting mail-in-voting during his rally appearances.
The newly approved measures not only ban monetary donations but also stipulate that only officially designated election officials can perform election-related duties. This step was motivated by instances in the 2020 elections where outside consultants played advisory roles. Critics of private election funding argue that it can create disparities, potentially influencing outcomes by providing more resources to certain areas over others. “Our citizens firmly believe that outside money, particularly from liberal states, should not hold the power to determine the fate of elections here in Wisconsin,” stated State Representative Ty Bodden.
Conversely, opponents of the amendment, including the Democratic Party and civil rights groups, contend that these changes could hamper election administration, particularly in resource-strapped jurisdictions. The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin voiced concerns that the ban on grants “have provided a lifeline to help clerks pay for equipment, polling place rental, poll workers, and supplies to protect your right to vote and make elections run smoothly and securely.”
This legislation comes at a time when election integrity and administration funding are hotly debated topics in the United States, reflections of the deep divisions facing the country. With the presidential race on the horizon, the implications of these amendments will be closely watched, both in Wisconsin and across the nation, as they embody a broader struggle over the control and conduct of American democracy.
