Honest Elections Project Action Encourages Georgia Lawmakers to Pass Ban on Foreign Funding of Ballot Issue Campaigns

Today, Honest Elections Project Action launched a targeted digital ad campaign to encourage the Georgia Senate to pass HB 963, legislation that would ban the foreign funding of ballot issue campaigns.

View the ad HERE.

Jason Snead, Executive Director of Honest Elections Project Action, released the following statement:

“Georgia lawmakers have the opportunity to close a critical loophole that allows foreign nationals to impact policymaking. Ballot issue campaigns across the country have received millions of foreign-tied dollars, leaving local elections vulnerable. Georgians deserve to have elections free of foreign influence. Honest Elections Project Action urges the Georgia Senate to pass HB 963, ensuring elections remain in the hands of the people of Georgia and free of foreign involvement.”

Foreign Funding Background

Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss has pumped more than $300 million into the liberal Sixteen Thirty Fund, which has in turn poured $130 million into ballot issue campaigns across the country.
Although foreign nationals are barred from contributing to candidates and PACs, a loophole exists in federal law that allows foreigners to contribute to ballot issue campaigns.
Nine states have enacted legislation to ban the direct and indirect funding of ballot issue campaigns by foreign nationals.