Citizens Election Research Center

Category Wisconsin

Wisconsin – Illinois Review – Article: Zuckerbucks’ No More: How Wisconsin Voters Took Back Their Elections

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Article: WI voters draw a clear line in the sand against the intrusion of private funds in the electoral process

In a resolute move that underscores the spirit of American democracy, voters in Wisconsin have emphatically endorsed two constitutional amendments that draw a clear line in the sand against the intrusion of private funds in the electoral process. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle to preserve the sanctity of the vote, an issue that has sparked widespread concern over the influence of billionaire donors like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, colloquially dubbed “Zuckerbucks,” on the integrity of elections.

The approval of these amendments is not merely a local affair but a resounding message to the nation: Wisconsin insists that its elections are for its voters, not for the highest bidder or out-of-state billionaires looking to tip the scales. This development is a testament to the foresight and diligence of Republican lawmakers who, recognizing the potential for abuse and manipulation, sought to enshrine these protections within the bedrock of the state constitution.

At the heart of this landmark decision is a fundamental question about the role of money in our electoral system and the potential for it to undermine the democratic process. Critics of private election funding, including prominent figures from conservative think tanks such as the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, argue that the infusion of vast sums of money by entities like the Center for Tech and Civic Life, under the guise of voter access and education, disproportionately benefits Democratic strongholds, thereby skewing the electoral landscape.

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Wisconsin – The Cap Times – Article: Madison Spent Private Election Funds Before Amendment Banned Them

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Article: The City of Madison had already spent $1.5 million in private grant funding for new election equipment before Wisconsin voters approved a ban on such money for local governments.

The city of Madison had already spent $1.5 million in private grant funding for new election equipment before Wisconsin voters approved a ban on such money for local governments.

Voters resoundingly approved two state constitutional amendments April 2 that would ban not just the private grant funding but also restrict who can be involved in administering elections in Wisconsin. 

Statewide, voters in all but nine counties moved to approve the ban on private election funding. One of the nine was Dane County, where residents voted over 2-to-1 to reject the amendment. 

The second amendment, which restricted election administration to only “election officials designated by law,” gained somewhat more widespread support.

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Wisconsin- WKOW – Article: USAEE Grant Money Used to Develop New Polling Signs

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Article: Through a project with the USAEE, the City Clerk’s Office worked with CTCL to develop new polling signs.

MADISON (WKOW) — As voters head to the polls Tuesday, they’ll find new signs with multiple languages to help direct them to their polling place.

The new signs contain English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Hmong, and an icon, according to the city of Madison.

Through a project with the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence, the City Clerk’s Office worked with the Center for Civic Design to develop the new signs.

“We want our democracy to be accessible to every eligible voter,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway in a statement. “It’s important that we are providing voting information in a variety of languages. I appreciate the improvements the Clerk’s Office has made.”

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Wisconsin – Madison: City Uses USAEE Money for New Signs at Polling Places

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Article: Madison, Wisconsin uses USAEE grant money to develop new signs for polling places.

New signs will greet voters as they enter their polling place on Tuesday. The new signs contain English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Hmong, and an icon to help voters navigate the polling place.

Through a project with the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence, the City Clerk’s Office worked with the Center for Civic Design to develop the new signs.

“We want our democracy to be accessible to every eligible voter,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “It’s important that we are providing voting information in a variety of languages. I appreciate the improvements the Clerk’s Office has made.”

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Wisconsin – TMJ4 Milwaukee – Article: City Spent Elections Grants Weeks Before Voters Banned Them

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Article: Madison official says city spent elections grants weeks before voters banned them. Election officials concerned about the implications of new constitutional amendments.

MADISON, Wisconsin — Wisconsin voters on Tuesday passed a constitutional amendment to ban private funding for elections.

Just weeks earlier, the city of Madison used most of the nearly $1.5 million in private grant money at its disposal to purchase a new machine to process absentee ballots, according to Mike Haas, the city’s attorney.

Haas, who is also the former head of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, said the proposed constitutional amendments on Tuesday’s ballot were a factor in deciding to use up the money.

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Wisconsin Legislation Re: Grants- 4/24
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Milwaukee Public Library & Cities Forward Grant Proposal- 3/4/24

Milwaukee Public Library & Election Commission Civic Engagement Grant Proposal of $250,000 with included timeline.

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Milwaukee Cities Forward Election Commission Grant Agreement- 3/4/24

Election Administration Grant request from Cities Forward (total amount equal to $786,850), with itemized list of requests.

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Update on the City of Madison’s $1.5M Grant Received from CTCL

Email from Ron Heuer, President of Wisconsin Voters Alliance – March 22, 2024

We had received notification in January that the City of Madison had received $500,000 of the total $1,500,000 of the CTCL grant on December 27th and at that time in January, none of the money had been spent.

Here is an update on the City of Madison’s $1.5M grant they received from CTCL. As of March 22, 2024:

Current Disposition

City of Madison Wisconsin – U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence CTCL $1.5M Grant.

We had received notification in January that the City of Madison had received $500,000 of the total $1,500,000 of the CTCL grant on December 27th and at that time in January, none of the money had been spent.

Today, I received an update from the City of Madison accounting department that, indeed, they had received the balance of $1,000,000 on December 28. So, the City of Madison has received the entire $1,500,000.

In addition, I learned that in a Jan 18, 2024 City Council meeting, $279,608 had been allocated in Resolution 24-00068 for the purchase of Election Security carts, the company being EZ Carts. I have also attached a PDF that was used during that meeting describing the EZ Cart product. To authorize the noncompetitive purchase of goods from Printelect as a sole source provider of election security carts for the City Clerk’s Office. Sponsors: Jael Currie, John W. Duncan, Derek Field, Sabrina V. Madison and Michael E. Verveer.

A second resolution was passed on Jan 18th allocating $1,040,720 for the purchase of an end to end absentee ballot system. 

Authorizing the payment of goods from DMT Solutions Global Corporation dba Bluecrest on a cooperative contract of an automated absentee ballot mailing system for the City Clerk’s Office prior to the delivery of all goods.

In summation, $1,320,328 of the $1.5M has been allocated to be spent, leaving a balance of $179,672 to yet be allocated or spent.

Ron Heuer
President, WVA

City of Madison WI cart quote EZ Cart 3000 (1)Download
proposal-NASPO Absentee Ballot handling (1)Download

Wisconsin – Restoration of America – Article: Milwaukee Takes Arabella “DARK MONEY” to Count Your Ballots in Zuckbucks Scandal Repeat

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Article: The Left is trying once more to privatize the 2024 election in Milwaukee, and they’re using the world’s biggest political machine to do it. It’s up to voters to save their state from D.C. mega-donors.

Wisconsinites couldn’t have a starker choice on April 2: Vote “yes” on Question 1 to ban tainted “Zuckbucks” forever—or let the Left continue selling election administration to the highest bidder.

If you needed any more evidence of the latter, consider the newly announced $800,000 grant from an opaque left-wing nonprofit to Milwaukee’s elections department to “process absentee ballots” and “connect with voters via text messages” mere weeks before voters ban such private funding.

In a bare repeat of 2020’s Zuckbucks scheme, another shadowy group—Cities Forward—is attempting to privatize the government office responsible for counting voters’ ballots in a city that broke for Joe Biden by 183,000 votes.

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