Wisconsin voters passed two Republican-backed constitutional amendments, labeled as Question 1 and Question 2, that will impact how elections are run in the state. Question 1 will prohibit the use of private funds in election administration, which critics refer to as “Zuckerbucks.” Question 2 will limit the role and definition of an election worker to only those designated by law. Proponents argued that the measures would prevent ‘dark money’ in elections and clarify election administration, while opponents believed they were based on unfounded conspiracy theories following Joe Biden’s 2020 election win.
The measures have origins in claims made by Donald Trump’s allies about the 2020 election results. Mark Zuckerberg donated $400 million to nonprofits to recruit poll workers and purchase protective equipment during the Covid pandemic. The Center for Tech and Civic Life, largely funded by Zuckerberg, provided $10 million to officials in Wisconsin that year. Some Republicans claimed the money influenced Democratic turnout in favor of Biden, who won the state after Trump’s previous victory. Democrats in the state urged voters to oppose the measures, while Republicans supported them. Despite not attracting much attention or spending from outside groups, the measures were expected to pass due to low turnout in the primary election.
Opponents of the measures feared that the restriction on private funding and the narrowing of election worker roles could lead to chaos and conspiracies during future close races. Common Cause Wisconsin, a nonpartisan watchdog group, expressed concerns that without sufficient funding from the Republican-controlled Legislature, election clerks in the state would lack resources to effectively run elections. While Republicans in the Legislature referred the measures to voters after being vetoed by Governor Tony Evers, similar actions have been taken in other states, with at least 27 states implementing measures to regulate private or philanthropic funding for elections since the 2020 election.
The impact of the measures on future elections in Wisconsin could be significant. With restrictions on additional funding and the roles of election workers, the potential for misinformation and confusion during close races is heightened. The state’s past two presidential elections were decided by margins of fewer than 23,000 votes, underscoring the importance of proper election administration. Unless the Legislature fully funds election administration, concerns remain about the ability of election officials to effectively carry out their duties. Ultimately, the fate of election administration in Wisconsin and other states could rest on the decisions made by lawmakers and voters in the coming years.
