(C) Wisconsin Watch
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Are outside groups funding election centers in Wisconsin and across the US? [1]

['Jacob Alabab-Moser', 'Wisconsin Watch', 'More Jacob Alabab-Moser', 'Fact Checker']

Date: 2022-12-21 17:20:58+00:00

Reading Time: < 1 minute

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Yes.

The Center for Tech and Civic Life announced it is releasing a new round of funding to support the administration of upcoming elections in underfunded county and municipal clerks’ offices.

The Madison City Clerk’s Office is among the first 10 local election offices awarded the grants, which will total $80 million over the next five years and have few spending restrictions. In the past, offices have used the grants to pay for election-related staff, training and equipment.

Since 2020, when the center first dispensed grants ahead of the presidential election, critics have challenged the legality of the organization’s activities. A Wisconsin judge ruled the private grants were legal. Wisconsin Republicans are currently pushing a constitutional amendment that would ban private election funding.

InfluenceWatch describes CTCL as a “center-left election reform advocacy group” funded by “left-of-center funding organizations” including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Sources

AP News Election nonprofit that drew GOP ire in 2020 renews grants

City of Madison City of Madison Clerk’s office named inaugural US Alliance for Election Excellence finalist for 2023 program

AP News Wisconsin judge upholds legality of private election grants

AP News Republicans propose constitutional ban on election grants

InfluenceWatch Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL)

APM Reports How private money helped save the election

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