Wisconsin Referendum Questions: Private Funding & Election Officials

Wisconsinites will find two referendum questions on their April 2, 2024 ballots.Photo byMy Northern Wisconsin

There are two referendum questions in Wisconsin on the April 2, 2024 ballot.

Question 1 reads, "Use of private funds in election administration. 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?"

Question 2 reads, "Election officials. Shall section 7 (2) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that only election officials designated by law may perform tasks in the conduct of primaries, elections, and referendums?"

According to Ballotpedia, 27 states have laws in place banning or restricting the use of private donations for the purposes of administering an election, which applies to Question 1.

Question 1 got brought to the table due to the 2020 election when the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, and his wife, Priscilla Chan, funded grants that were distributed by the Center for Tech and Civic Life. Wisconsin received $10.6 million of those grant funds spread across over 200 communities. However, $8.8 million went to Wisconsin's five largest cities, which are Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Racine, and Kenosha.

Some people are concerned that when those funds are sent to certain areas, it can help the turnout in those areas. Therefore, if a group wanted to affect an election, they could send more funds to areas that are either more liberal or more conservative hoping to get the voting result they want, which would affect the entire state. Some clerks feel they have enough resources and instructions from the government that they do not need outside sources to assist with elections. These reasons are why some people want a "yes" vote on both questions.

Others argue it would take away resources from clerks, especially in smaller areas. They argue clerks need every amount of money and resources available to them so they can easily run elections in their municipalities. Those people want a "no" vote on both questions.

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