In a significant development, CNN projects that Wisconsin voters will approve two election-related amendments to the state constitution. These changes, championed by Republican lawmakers, mark a significant shift in voting rules within this battleground state ahead of the upcoming presidential election in November.
One of the amendments, aimed at banning the use of private money in election administration, represents a victory for conservative activists. This move comes in response to the use of funds, often referred to as “Zuckerbucks,” donated by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, to a nonprofit organization that aided election administration across the country during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The other amendment, projected to be approved, focuses on allowing only officials designated by state law to administer elections. Proponents argue that this measure is necessary to prevent outside consultants from participating in the electoral process.
However, critics have raised concerns about potential unintended consequences of these amendments, including the restriction of local clerks from accepting donated supplies and the use of privately owned buildings as polling places. Additionally, there are no guarantees of increased government funding to support election administration once private sources are restricted.
The approval of these amendments underscores ongoing debates surrounding election integrity and the role of private funding in the electoral process. The outcome of these changes will likely have significant implications for future elections in Wisconsin and may shape broader discussions about voting laws and regulations across the United States.