Louisiana Legislature approves ban on private funding for elections

The GOP-led Louisiana Senate has approved a ban on private election funding, sending it to Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards who last year vetoed a similar measure.

The legislation previously passed the state House.

Rep. Blake Miguez, R-Erath, filed House Bill 20 in response to what he called “Zuckerbucks,” referring to grants Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan routed through the nonprofit Center for Tech and Civic Life to state and local officials grappling with the pandemic during the 2020 election. Conservatives have complained the money helped drive up the vote in Democratic urban strongholds.

Local clerks of court in Louisiana initially wanted to apply for the grants but were advised not to by Attorney General Jeff Landry, who said the grants might violate law. Miguez and other supporters of the bill said they wanted to clarify the law, arguing money from private sources can potentially lead to undue donor influence on elections.

Republican state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, who presented the bill in her chamber, said if private donations are available, some jurisdictions might get money and some wouldn’t, leading to unequal treatment of voters. Some lawmakers, however, said private money, if handled correctly, could pay for valid expenses and save the taxpayers money.

When asked whether it would be OK if the money flowed through the secretary of state, who runs the state’s elections, Hewitt said that would be “less objectionable,” but she would not support an amendment. Senators passed the bill without amendments with a 26-11 vote.