The rules for running elections in Wisconsin have changed after voters approved two constitutional amendments Tuesday that will restrict the use of private money, and consultants, to support election administration.
Both amendments are responses to the use of private funds in the 2020 presidential election.
The prohibition on outside funding means that Wisconsin election workers will only be able to access public funds, and cannot apply for or receive private grant money to support their work.
The amendment that affects election officials states that only legally designated election officials can perform tasks “in the conduct of” election. The nature of those tasks, and the excluded workers — which may include people who work in municipal clerk offices but are not sworn officials — is likely to require court clarification, legal experts say. Lower courts have previously found that election officials may turn to outside experts for that work.