Wisconsin voters made a significant decision on Tuesday by approving bans on private aid for election offices, altering the State Constitution to forbid officials from accepting donations of money or staffing to help run elections. This move comes after complaints raised about the 2020 election, including objections to donations made by a group supported by billionaire Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, as well as assistance given to election administrators by nonprofit groups. The donations were used to cover costs like polling-place rental fees, drive-through voting sites, and training for poll workers.

President Biden narrowly won Wisconsin in 2020, and the state is seen as crucial in this year’s presidential race, with voters evenly split between the two major parties. Republicans have argued that funding for running elections should be solely provided by the government and allocated equitably to all jurisdictions.

Opponents of the ballot question regarding outside staffing for election offices argued that existing Wisconsin law already outlined who could or could not work as an election official, expressing concerns that passing the amendment could lead to unintended consequences.

By putting the proposed election limits to a statewide vote, Wisconsin Republicans were able to bypass Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat who vetoed a bill in 2021 that aimed to ban private grants for elections. The issue of limiting private financial support for election administration gained prominence after the challenges faced during the 2020 campaign due to added costs related to conducting elections during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Wisconsin is not alone in seeking to limit private financial support for election administration, with 27 states passing restrictions on donations since 2020, especially those with governments under Republican control. Supporters of the ban on donated support in Wisconsin are concerned about partisan aid disparities affecting election results in different parts of the state.

The Center for Tech and Civic Life, supported by Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, provided substantial financial aid to election offices in liberal-leaning areas of Wisconsin in 2020. While smaller cities and towns also received grants, concerns were raised about the influence of outside money on election outcomes in the state.

Prominent conservative groups in Wisconsin, including the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, encouraged voters to approve the changes to the Constitution, citing the need for fair and equitable election funding. On the other hand, left-leaning groups and civil rights organizations opposed the ballot measures, arguing that state funding for elections was inadequate and that the amendments were poorly defined.

Wisconsin’s political landscape has long been contentious, with parties accusing each other of undermining democracy. Efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election and recent attempts to alter the state’s election commission reflect the ongoing political tensions in Wisconsin. The state’s division is further highlighted by the current redistricting battle, which threatens Republicans’ traditional hold on the legislative branch.