WASHINGTON - Heritage Action, a conservative grassroots organization with over 2.5 million grassroots activists nationwide, released the following statement from Heritage Action Vice President Janae Stracke urging Montana Governor Gianforte to veto Montana House Bill 818, legislation that fails to restrict foreign influence in state elections:
“Heritage Action has seen a groundswell of conservative grassroots support nationwide to ban foreign funding for state ballot initiatives. Six states have enacted laws prohibiting this corrupt practice, and several more states are considering similar legislation. These states have taken decisive action to close all loopholes in their election laws. Unfortunately, HB 818 stops short of actually protecting Montanans’ voices at the ballot box. We urge Governor Gianforte to veto this ineffective foreign funding legislation.”
Honest Elections Project Action reports that foreign influence directly impacts U.S. elections, and according to a recent poll, 78% of Americans believe foreign powers should not be influencing U.S. elections. Heritage Action calls to veto this bill which fails to fully close loopholes for foreign funding and direct influence in state elections in the State of Montana.
BACKGROUND:
Washington Examiner: Inside the movement to stop foreign cash from swaying ballot initiatives
Honest Election Project: Safeguarding Our Elections
Heritage Foundation: American Confidence in Elections: Preventing Noncitizen Voting and Other Foreign Interference
Heritage Foundation: Protecting American Universities from Undue Foreign Influence
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