Capitol Update

by Senator Howard Marklein

March 22, 2024

Two Constitutional Questions on Your April Ballot
 

I received my absentee ballot for the April 2, 2024 election and there are two State of Wisconsin Referendum Questions that are on your ballot. The wording of these questions is rather confusing, so I thought I would share more information to help you make a decision on these votes.

Both of these questions are related to “Zuckerbucks” or private funding for Wisconsin elections. Mark Zuckerburg – the founder of Facebook – has a nonprofit called the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL). This organization funneled millions of dollars to local election administration throughout the US in 2020, including several municipalities and counties in Wisconsin. They offered “grants” for election equipment and paid people to “volunteer” to help with election administration.

In a couple of Wisconsin municipalities, people paid by the CTCL were given unbridled access to voter information, processes, ballots, etc. In Green Bay, an election volunteer from New York, paid for by CTCL/Zuckerbucks, was given total access to election administration. This person actually replaced a municipal employee, nonpartisan, election official.

The ballot questions are asking you to decide if a private company, organization or individual should be able to give money and have access to election-related activities in Wisconsin.

Official Question #1: "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?"

Translation of Question #1: Do you think Wisconsin should prohibit a private company, individual or organization from giving money to a local, county or state government to conduct an election?

YES vote – private donations and grants should not be allowed to conduct any elections. In other words – vote YES – if you want to keep private companies, individuals and organizations out of our elections.

NO vote – private donations and grants should be allowed. In other words – vote NO – if you are OK with private companies, individuals and organizations buying access to our election process by offering grants and paying for “volunteers” in exchange for access.

Official Question #2: "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?"

Translation of Question #2: Do you think that elections should only be conducted by election officials who are designated by law?

YES vote – only election officials who are designated by law should be able to administer our elections. In other words – vote YES – if you want our elections to be administered only by election officials. Vote YES if you do not want a private company, organization or individual to be able to pay for a staff person who will then be given access to election administration including ballots, voter information, ballot machines, tabulation, etc.

NO vote – anyone can perform election-related tasks, even if they are not election officials designated in law. In other words – vote NO – if you are OK with private companies, individuals and organizations buying access to our election process by paying people to “volunteer” to work in municipal and county clerks’ offices where they have been given access to ballots, voter information, ballot machines, tabulation, etc. These people can be fully and openly partisan.

As of today, 27 other states have taken action to ban Zuckerbucks; Louisiana banned them by referendum 73%-25%. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, a democrat signed a ban into law, the Virginia Senate, which is controlled by democrats, passed their bill unanimously and both Chambers of the South Carolina Legislature passed a ban with unanimous support. These questions are on your ballot because Governor Evers vetoed our legislative effort to ban Zuckerbucks and all other private spending in the administration of our elections.

As always, please do not hesitate to connect with me to provide input, ideas or to seek assistance. Send an email to sen.marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov or call 608-266-0703. I want to hear from you.