Wisconsin sends amendments against ‘Zuckbucks’ and noncitizen voting for voter approval.
Wisconsin Legislature Passes Constitutional Amendments to Prohibit Noncitizen Voting and Private Election Funding
The Republican-controlled Wisconsin legislature has made significant strides this week by passing two constitutional amendment proposals that aim to safeguard the integrity of elections. These measures, which will now be put to a vote, seek to prohibit noncitizen voting and the use of private money in election processes.
The first proposal, SJR 78, emphasizes that no state employee or political subdivision can accept or utilize any funds or equipment donated by individuals or nongovernmental entities for the purpose of conducting primaries, elections, or referendums. It also restricts anyone other than designated election officials from participating in election-related tasks.
Supported by every present Republican and opposed by every present Democrat, SJR 78 passed the State Assembly (60-35) and the Senate (21-10).
During the 2020 election, nonprofits like the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) received substantial funding from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. These funds, known as “Zuckbucks,” were injected into local election offices across battleground states, resulting in the implementation of unsupervised election protocols such as mail-in voting and ballot drop boxes. Notably, the grants were heavily skewed towards Democrat-majority counties, effectively creating a privately funded Democrat get-out-the-vote operation.
Wisconsin, in particular, received around $10.1 million in Zuckbucks from CTCL, with 28 out of 31 grants going to cities. Of these cities, 20 were won by Biden and eight by Trump.
Previous attempts to restrict or ban the use of private funds in Wisconsin elections were vetoed by Democrat Gov. Tony Evers. However, by utilizing the constitutional amendment process, Republicans can now give voters the final say on the matter, bypassing Evers’ opposition.
According to GOP Sen. Eric Wimberger, the sponsor of the proposed constitutional amendment, this measure aims to prevent private entities and out-of-state billionaires from circumventing campaign finance laws and using government entities for targeted get-out-the-vote efforts.
In addition to the Zuckbucks ban, Wisconsin Republicans have also passed SJR 71, which seeks to tighten current constitutional provisions to ensure that only United States citizens aged 18 or older can vote in the state’s elections. Similar to the Zuckbucks ban, this prohibition on noncitizen voting received support from Republicans and opposition from Democrats.
Both SJR 78 and SJR 71 must now be approved by Wisconsin voters in order to be added to the state’s constitution. The Zuckbucks ban will appear on the April 2024 ballot, while the noncitizen voting ban will be on the November 2024 ballot.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. His work has been featured in various outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood.
What are the arguments made by Democrats against the amendments proposed by the Wisconsin legislature to protect election integrity
Ng and ballot drop boxes. Critics argue that this created an uneven playing field and compromised the integrity of the election process.
The passage of SJR 78 in Wisconsin aims to address this concern by prohibiting the use of private funds in election processes. By ensuring that only state resources are used, the legislature hopes to restore trust and confidence in the election system. This amendment would prevent any potential influence or bias that could arise from the involvement of private entities in the electoral process.
The second proposal, AJR 79, focuses on noncitizen voting. It states that only United States citizens have the right to vote in Wisconsin elections. This amendment seeks to strengthen the principle of democratic participation and ensure that only those who are eligible and have a stake in the country’s future are allowed to vote. Noncitizens would still have other avenues to contribute to their communities and participate in the democratic process, such as through advocacy or community engagement.
The passage of these amendments by the Wisconsin legislature reflects the ongoing efforts by Republicans to promote election integrity and protect the democratic process. The disputed results of the 2020 presidential election and the concerns raised about the influence of private funding have highlighted the need for reforms to safeguard the integrity of elections.
Nevertheless, these amendments have faced criticism from Democrats who argue that they restrict access to the ballot and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. They argue that the proposed requirements could disenfranchise eligible voters and undermine the fundamental principle of democracy.
The path forward for these amendments is uncertain. They will now need to be approved by the voters in a statewide referendum before they can be enshrined in the state constitution. This marks an opportunity for the people of Wisconsin to have their say on these important issues and shape the future of their state’s election processes.
As the nation continues to grapple with debates over election integrity, it is crucial to balance the need for security and transparency with the principles of inclusivity and democratic participation. The passage of these constitutional amendments in Wisconsin signifies the ongoing efforts to strike this delicate balance and ensure that every eligible voter can have faith in the electoral process.
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