Wisconsin voters on Tuesday approved a pair of Republican-backed constitutional amendments that will change how elections are run in the critical battleground state, according to projections from The Associated Press.
The first measure, labeled on the ballot as Question 1, will ban the use of private funds in election administration - often referred derisively to by conservatives as "Zuckerbucks." The second measure, Question 2, narrows the role and definition of an election worker.
Specifically, the measure asked voters to decide whether "Only election officials designated by law may perform tasks in the conduct of primaries, elections, and referendums." Opponents had argued that the measures were the result of unfounded conspiracy theories following Joe Biden's 2020 election win and that passing them would create obstacles to smoothly administering elections this fall in Wisconsin, where the results could help decide the presidential election, as well as the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
Supporters said the first measure would effectively ban "Dark money" from elections and that the second would help clarify and streamline election administration.
The ballot measures have roots in unfounded claims Donald Trump's allies made about the 2020 election results.
"Wisconsin has spoken and the message is clear: elections belong to voters, not out-of-state billionaires," Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Schimming said in a statement.
"Wisconsinites have turned the page on Zuckerbucks and secured our elections from dark money donors." Democrats blasted Republican lawmakers for advancing false claims about the 2020 election and blamed them for even giving voters the chance to decide on the questions.
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