Citizens Election Research Center
Wisconsin – Town Hall – Article: Republicans Score Major Win for Election Integrity

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Article: WI voter have made it clear that they do not want “Zuckerbucks” or dark-money interests influencing their local elections.

Wisconsin voters approved two constitutional amendments on Tuesday that the RNC says “will enshrine the principles of election integrity into the lawbooks.”  

Fifty-four percent of voters approved Question 1 banning the state from accepting private funds or equipment for election administration, commonly referred to as “Zuckerbucks.” According to the RNC, this ensures that “outsiders can’t manipulate the will of hardworking Wisconsin families when they cast their ballots.” Question 2 passed with 58.58 percent of the vote and mandates that only designated election officials can administer elections.

“Wisconsin voters have made it clear that they do not want Zuckerbucks or dark-money interests influencing their local elections,” RNC Chairman Michael Whatley said in a statement. “The RNC and RPW were proud to help drive this crucial victory and ensure strong poll-watching coverage across Wisconsin to ensure a transparent voting process. This win emphasizes that Americans support basic election integrity safeguards in battleground states like Wisconsin and around the country.” 

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Newsmax – Article: After Wisconsin Vote, RNC Likely to Launch War on ‘Zuckerbucks’

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Article: Wisconsin voters resoundingly elected to ban out-of-state election interference

Wisconsin voters resoundingly elected to ban out-of-state election interference with vote counting Tuesday.

Barely 24 hours later, Newsmax learned that members of the Republican National Committee were discussing launching a movement nationwide to eradicate the influence of outside money in election administration such as that deployed by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in 2020.

With nearly all votes counted, 54% of Badger State voters supported Question 1 to ban all private funding of elections. An even larger number of voters (58%) voted to enact Question 2 to restrict the administration of elections “to only election officials designated by law.”

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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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Warning: The article is neither owned nor written by the Citizens Election Research Center. The provided .pdf is only for the purposes of ease of viewing.

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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Warning: The article is neither owned nor written by the Citizens Election Research Center. The provided .pdf is only for the purposes of ease of viewing.

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
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.

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.