Connecticut Bans Foreign Interference in Ballot Measures

Yesterday, Governor Ned Lamont signed into law a bill to prohibit contributions by foreign nationals or entities on state and local ballot referenda.

“Foreign money has no place in local democracy,” said Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut. “As we approach the general election in November, voters will have the opportunity to vote on important measures like no-excuse absentee voting. We are grateful that our lawmakers took bipartisan action this session to prevent foreign influence on this and other ballot referenda.” 

“Foreign powers want to divide us by making voters feel like their votes don’t matter, or by convincing voters that their election administrators can’t be trusted,” said Alex Knopp, board member at Common Cause in Connecticut. “It is a relief that the state legislature closed this loophole, and we encourage other states to follow suit in the interest of our democracy.” 

In early May, Knopp published an opinion in the CT Insider on this bill. ​​Maine enacted a similar ban as a state constitutional amendment in November 2023, and several states including our neighbors in Massachusetts are currently considering similar prohibitions.