# Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act

Right now, there's a federal law that already prevents foreign nationals and foreign governments from giving money to candidates running for office. But there's a gap in that law: it doesn't cover ballot measures. This bill closes that loophole by extending the same foreign money ban to state and local ballot initiatives and referendums—those yes-or-no questions that voters decide on directly, like whether to raise taxes, change environmental rules, or approve bond measures.

Here's why this matters in practical terms. Imagine a foreign company or government wants to influence whether your state approves a new environmental regulation that would hurt their business interests. Currently, they could potentially funnel money into campaigns supporting or opposing that ballot measure, even though they're prohibited from doing the same thing for candidate elections. This bill would make that illegal. Foreign entities would be banned from donating to groups that campaign for or against ballot initiatives and referendums, just as they already are for candidate campaigns.

The bill applies to any contributions or donations made after it becomes law, so it would take effect immediately upon passage. It's a relatively straightforward fix that treats ballot measures the same way the law already treats elections—by keeping foreign money out of decisions that affect Americans. The intent is to prevent foreign interference in how Americans vote on important local and state policy questions, not just who they elect to office.

Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act

Fitzpatrick, Brian K.

Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act This bill prohibits contributions or donations by foreign nationals in connection with state or local ballot initiatives or referenda.