Alexandria, VA – Today, Honest Elections Project Action launched a five-figure digital ad campaign to encourage North Carolina lawmakers to support H958, legislation that would ban the foreign funding of ballot issue campaigns. The campaign includes targeted digital advertising and a mobile billboard that can be seen around the Capitol.
Jason Snead, Executive Director of Honest Elections Project Action, released the following statement:
“North Carolinians deserve elections free from foreign influence. Unfortunately, current federal and state law does not prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to state ballot issue campaigns, leaving North Carolina vulnerable. North Carolina has already seen millions in foreign-tied cash poured into the state, which is why it is so crucial to act. We call on lawmakers to quickly pass this measure—including a strong ban on foreign funding for ballot measure campaigns—to stop foreign influence in North Carolina.”
Foreign Funding Background
- Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss has pumped more than $280 million into the liberal Sixteen Thirty Fund, which has in turn poured $130 million into ballot issue campaigns across the country, including $3.5 million in North Carolina.
- 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.
Click HERE to view a photo of the mobile billboard.