CNN Projects Wisconsin Voters to Approve GOP’s Election Law Changes
TL/DR –
Wisconsin voters are expected to approve two election-related constitutional amendments, one of which will prohibit the use of private money in election administration. This is seen as a victory for conservative activists who have criticized the $350 million donation made by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, to a nonprofit that supported election administrators during the 2020 election. The second amendment will only permit officials designated by state law to administer elections, with critics voicing concerns over potential unintended consequences such as preventing local clerks from accepting donated supplies or using privately owned buildings as polling places.
Wisconsin Amendment Vote Alters Election Rules
Wisconsin voters are projected to ratify two amendments related to election regulations, marking a victory for Republican legislators aiming to change voting norms in this key state prior to the upcoming presidential polls.
Prohibition of Private Election Financing
The decision to prohibit private funds in election administration is a triumph for conservatives critiquing the funding Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan provided for the 2020 elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zuckerberg’s Contribution to Election Administration
Their one-time donation of $350 million, which included around $10 million for Wisconsin, was distributed to any community that requested it, with no partisan considerations influencing the allocation.
Opposition Claims
However, critics argue that these funds disproportionately boosted Democratic turnout, especially in Wisconsin’s major cities, and influenced the 2020 election results when Wisconsin switched from supporting Donald Trump to Joe Biden. Biden won Wisconsin by a minimal margin of less than 21,000 votes.
Post-election Claims and Regulations
Following Trump’s 2020 defeat, baseless allegations of election fraud were disseminated, particularly targeting Wisconsin. To date, over two dozen states have regulated or banned private election donations, as reported by the National Conference of State Legislatures. In Wisconsin, similar legislation was vetoed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers, who has consistently opposed election alterations advanced by the Republican-majority legislature.
Approval of Second Amendment
Wisconsin voters are also predicted to approve an additional constitutional amendment limiting election administration to state-designated officials. Supporters claim this measure is necessary to prevent external consultants from engaging in election processes.
Concerns about the Amendments
Detractors contend these measures may lead to unforeseen complications, including the possibility of excluding local clerks from accepting donated supplies or the use of privately-owned venues as polling stations. Moreover, they highlight the lack of guaranteed governmental funds to facilitate elections once private sources are restrained.
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