Selling Out Our Republic?

The Dark Influence of Private Funds in Elections

Feb 10, 2024

THIS WEEK. In the wake of recent revelations surrounding private funding, notably 'Zuckerbucks,' influencing election outcomes, the integrity of our election process is facing scrutiny.

Private donations, such as those made by Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, have raised concerns among lawmakers. Critics argue that these funds were strategically deployed to mobilize Democratic voters in swing states during the 2020 general election, raising questions about the fairness and impartiality of the electoral process.

Republican House committee members have been vocal about their apprehensions, proposing a shift towards taxpayer-funded election administrations. The term 'Zuckerbucks' has become symbolic of the private donations they aim to prohibit, emphasizing a desire for publicly funded elections that are free from the influence of private entities.

During the House Administration Committee hearing, Republicans argued that large donations, under the guise of supporting poll-worker training and expanding mail-in voting during the COVID-19 pandemic, were disproportionately directed towards Democratic-leaning districts. The focus on transparent and publicly funded elections gained momentum as lawmakers sought to restore confidence in the electoral system.

Democrats concurred with their Republican colleagues on the need for publicly funded elections. However, they criticized the specific focus on private funders, arguing that it diverted attention from the broader goal of aiding underfunded local election administrations.

Democratic members, like Rep. Terri Sewell, stressed the importance of public funding for elections, asserting that the unrelenting focus on private funders undermines the common goal of ensuring fair and accessible elections.

Beyond the debate on private funding, the spotlight on election funding brings attention to the systemic issue of underfunded local election administrations. With over 8,000 local election jurisdictions in the United States, the collective cost to operate is estimated to be $2 billion, according to research from the University of Kansas. The current funding model, relying on local sources, leaves these administrations grappling with financial constraints.

Zachary Mohr, associate professor at the University of Kansas, emphasized the critical need for federal intervention. As states consider banning private funding, the lack of adequate resources for election administration becomes even more glaring.

As expected, the discussion morphed into a bait and switch, blurring the lines between the costs of getting out the vote and the cost of election administration. Taxpayers must never be required to fund a bucket for candidates to run for office, nor should it be funding voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities, which is what got us into trouble to begin with.

ACT and Spread awareness on social media, participate in local discussions on electoral reform, and stay informed about legislative developments.

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