Question 1 - Use of private funds in election administration

Ballot Icon Ballot Measure

PASSED

Result Icon Result

CONSERVATIVE

BALLOT LANGUAGE

Shall section 7 (1) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that private donations and grants may not be applied for, accepted, expended, or used in connection with the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum?

WHAT IT MEANS

If passed, the state constitution would be amended to prohibit applying for, accepting or spending private money in the conducting of Wisconsin elections.
A "Yes" vote is the conservative position.  A "No" vote is the liberal position.

ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST

Yes

"Both questions on our ballot stem from the outside money that came into Wisconsin in the 2020 election from liberal groups—the infamous “Zuckerbucks”— and then went to our largest cities to supposedly “help” the municipal clerks there conduct the elections." (6:40)

Julaine Appling, President Emeritus, Wisconsin Family Action, Wisconsin Family Council Home Front, March 13, 2024.

[Source]

" Private money—no matter the source—going to public election offices should not be part of Wisconsin elections. Continuing to allow billionaires to interfere with election operations sets a dangerous precedent for the security and integrity of future Wisconsin elections. Banning Zuckerbucks in Wisconsin will ensure that political operatives and corporations don’t make election operations a commodity to be bought and sold again."

Opportunity Solutions Project, accessed March 16, 2024.

[Source]

“In the interest of upholding fairness and safeguarding the integrity of our democratic process, it is essential to maintain a nonpartisan electoral system that is free from external financial influences.”

Kyle Koenen, Policy Director, Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, ABC News, March 16, 2024.

[Source]

No

"In addition to the challenges presented by the lack of significant public investment in election administration, the vague language included in the proposed constitutional amendment would create challenges in its enforcement."

ACLU - Wisconsin, accessed March 16, 2024.

[Source]

"These proposals, under the guise of protecting our elections, are nothing more than thinly veiled attempts to restrict voting rights and undermine the very foundations of our democratic system. It is our duty to stand firm in defending the rights and inclusivity of all eligible voters in our democracy."

All Voting is Local Action Wisconsin State Director Sam Liebert, All Voting Is Local, November 7, 2023.

[Source]

"Elections need to be fully funded. This amendment reduces the options for municipal governments looking for outside sources of funding for elections without providing alternative resources. This change will shift the burden even further onto tax payers."

League of Women Voters, accessed March 17, 2024.

[Source]

FINANCIAL BACKING

The following information provides insight into the money being spent to pass or defeat the ballot measure.

Yes

USE OF PRIVATE FUNDS IN ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

This question is on the ballot in Wisconsin as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on April 2, 2024. As of March 08, 2024, no committee to support or oppose the amendment has been identified.  Thus, there is no record of funds raised to support either position.

No

USE OF PRIVATE FUNDS IN ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

This question is on the ballot in Wisconsin as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on April 2, 2024. As of March 08, 2024, no committee to support or oppose the amendment has been identified.  Thus, there is no record of funds raised to support either position.

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