Louisiana bans ‘Zuckbucks’ to halt Dems’ private election control. Will it suffice?
Louisiana Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Constitutional Amendment Banning Private Money in Elections
Louisiana voters made a resounding statement on Saturday, with an overwhelming majority of nearly two-thirds (72.6 percent) approving a constitutional amendment that prohibits the use of private funds in election administration. This historic amendment, which can be viewed here, marks a significant step towards safeguarding the integrity of elections in the state.
The newly passed amendment, as outlined in the official document, explicitly states that no funds, goods, or services donated by foreign governments or non-governmental sources can be used in elections, unless permitted by the election code and subject to restrictions provided by general law. With this development, Louisiana becomes the 26th state to enact such a ban or restriction on private money in elections, setting an important precedent for the nation.
Ken Cuccinelli, chair of the Election Transparency Initiative, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “Elections should never be privatized in Louisiana or anywhere else, and we’re pleased that voters resoundingly decided to ban ‘Zuckerbucks’ once and for all at the polls.”
The amendment specifically targets the controversial use of “Zuckbucks,” referring to the hundreds of millions of dollars donated by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to nonprofits like the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) during the 2020 election. These funds were utilized to influence election administration, particularly in battleground states, by implementing unsupervised protocols such as mail-in voting and ballot drop boxes. Furthermore, the grants were disproportionately allocated to Democrat-majority counties, effectively creating a privately funded Democrat get-out-the-vote operation.
While this constitutional amendment addresses the private takeover of election administration witnessed in 2020, Republicans remain vigilant as Democrats explore alternative strategies. The U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence, an $80 million venture funded by left-wing nonprofits, aims to systematically influence election administration and advance Democrat-backed voting policies in local election offices ahead of the 2024 elections. Their tactics involve providing election offices with “scholarships” that can be converted into credits for services offered by CTCL and other Alliance partners.
In states where “Zuckbucks” are banned or restricted, the Alliance employs a different approach. Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project, explained that interested election offices in these states can “buy their way into the Alliance” for a relatively small sum, allowing the Alliance to extend its influence even in states where lawmakers have attempted to prevent it.
Shawn Fleetwood, a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington, contributed to this article.
How does Louisiana’s constitutional amendment address the concerns about private funds in election administration and ensure a fair and transparent electoral process
2020 election cycle. This funding raised concerns about the influence of private individuals on the electoral process and sparked debates about the need for stricter regulations.
The issue of private money in elections has long been a contentious one. Proponents argue that it allows for greater political participation and supports candidates who align with their values. However, critics believe that it undermines the democratic process and gives undue influence to wealthy individuals or corporations.
Louisiana’s constitutional amendment aims to address these concerns by prohibiting the use of private funds in election administration. By doing so, it seeks to ensure that the electoral process remains fair, transparent, and free from undue influence.
The overwhelming support for this amendment reflects the widespread desire to safeguard the integrity of elections in Louisiana. With nearly two-thirds of voters approving the measure, it is evident that there is a strong belief in the need for public funding of elections.
The amendment’s language is clear and leaves no room for ambiguity. It explicitly states that foreign governments or non-governmental sources cannot donate funds, goods, or services for election purposes, unless authorized by the election code and subject to restrictions provided by general law. This ensures that all election-related activities are conducted in a manner that upholds the principles of fairness and accountability.
Louisiana now joins 25 other states that have enacted similar bans or restrictions on private money in elections. This landmark decision sets an important precedent for the nation and sends a strong message that the integrity of our electoral process must be protected.
Ken Cuccinelli, chair of the Election Transparency Initiative, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. He emphasized the importance of keeping elections free from privatization and highlighted the significance of banning the controversial use of “Zuckbucks.” The reference to Mark Zuckerberg’s donations to nonprofits during the 2020 election cycle illustrates the concerns that prompted the need for this amendment.
Louisiana’s constitutional amendment serves as a model for other states grappling with the issue of private money in elections. It demonstrates that there is a growing recognition of the need to prioritize the integrity of our democratic system over private interests.
Moving forward, it will be crucial to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of the amendment’s provisions. This involves establishing mechanisms to monitor and regulate campaign financing to prevent any attempts to circumvent the ban on private funds.
As elections continue to be a cornerstone of our democracy, it is imperative to preserve their integrity. Louisiana’s resounding approval of the constitutional amendment banning private money in elections is a significant step in the right direction. It reaffirms the principle that the electoral process should be fair, transparent, and free from undue influence. With this groundbreaking decision, Louisiana has set a strong example for the rest of the nation to follow.
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