Election integrity win: Kentucky law bans foreign money in ballot measures

Election integrity advocates are applauding a new Kentucky law that bans foreign money from promoting ballot measures in the state.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bill 45 into law this week. Similar to a new Wyoming law signed earlier this month by Gov. Mark Gordon, HB 45 prohibits non-U.S. citizens from funding any statewide ballot initiatives.

It also prohibits "political issues committees from knowingly and willfully soliciting or accepting contributions from prohibited sources" and establishes "certification requirements for treasurers of political issues committees and donors making contributions and independent expenditures."

The measure passed in both the state House (85-12) and in the state Senate (29-6) with bipartisan support. Because the Senate amended the bill, it returned to the House, where it passed again.

Americans For Public Trust Executive Director Caitlin Sutherland said the new law was needed to keep foreign special interests from influencing elections in the state.

"Closing this foreign funding loophole is a big win for the people of Kentucky," Sutherland said in a statement emailed to The Center Square. "For far too long, ballot issue campaigns have been an opening for foreign megadonors to influence politics across America, and this ban sends the message loud and clear that foreign dark money has no place in the Bluegrass State.”

Jason Snead of Honest Elections Project Action also applauded the legislation.

“Kentucky voters deserve elections that are free from foreign influence, and ... the Kentucky legislature delivered, making Kentucky the third state to ban foreign funding of ballot issue campaigns," Snead said in a statement.

“For years, a loophole in federal law has left state ballot issues susceptible to citizens of foreign adversaries being able to affect our democratic process, which has been taken advantage of by Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss through his prolific giving to the Left-wing Sixteen Thirty Fund," Snead added. "Fortunately for Kentuckians, that ends today.”

Wyss also was cited as an impetus behind the Wyoming law.