10 Apr 2021
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill into law on Friday that prohibits the private funding of election administration in the state.
Arizona is now the first state in the country that specifically prohibits the controversial private funding of election administration that was introduced to the American political process in the 2020 presidential election, when Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg contributed $419 million to two non-profit groups that in turn funded state, county, and local election administration, which critics say benefited Democrats unfairly.
“With public confidence in our elections in peril, it’s clear our elections must be pristine and above reproach and the sole purview of government,” the Associated Press reported Ducey wrote in a letter expressing his reasons for signing the bill into law.
Arizona governor signs bill banning private election grants
JONATHAN J. COOPER and BOB CHRISTIE, Associated Press
April 9, 2021
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PHOENIX (AP) Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Friday signed legislation banning the use of private funding for elections but said the money the state received last year from organizations with funding from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s foundation was helpful and used with integrity.”
But the Republican governor said election officials should not be forced to rely on private grants for voter outreach, staffing or other expenses in the future. While he said nothing in the new law should be interpreted as a sign the state is unappreciative, the bill is needed to preserve the integrity of and voter confidence in elections.
Arizona Legislature votes to outlaw private election grants Follow Us
Question of the Day By JONATHAN J. COOPER - Associated Press - Wednesday, April 7, 2021
PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona Republicans voted Wednesday to ban private funding for elections, a response to millions of dollars in grants for the 2020 election from organizations with funding from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s foundation.
The measure was sent to Gov. Doug Ducey following a party-line vote in the Senate, where Democrats warned the measure could starve election offices of the funds needed to run secure and efficient elections. Democrats say the measure is one of several voter suppression bills that could get votes in the Legislature in the coming days weeks.
Arizona Legislature votes to outlaw private election grants expressnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from expressnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.