Sixteen Thirty Fund-backed ballot measures succeeded in other states, signaling need to close this foreign influence loophole
For Immediate Release: November 8, 2024
ALEXANDRIA, VA – This week, Ohio voters rejected the foreign dark money backed Issue 1, a ballot measure that would have codified gerrymandering through the creation of a new commission of unaccountable bureaucrats to redraw Congressional districts.
“By rejecting Issue 1, Ohio voters made clear they will not tolerate foreign-funded gerrymandering in the Buckeye State,” said Caitlin Sutherland, Executive Director of Americans for Public Trust. “Despite massive amounts of Sixteen Thirty Fund’s foreign-backed cash propping up the ‘vote yes’ campaign, voters saw through their intentionally confusing language and voted down the measure. While we dealt a blow to Sixteen Thirty Fund in Ohio, unfortunately the organization’s efforts were successful in other states where the state legislatures have yet to act to close this foreign influence loophole. States across the country should take note: Pass bans on foreign funding of ballot measures now, before Hansjorg Wyss’ Sixteen Thirty Fund bypasses their authority and remakes the state’s politics through leftwing ballot measures. Simply put, American politics should be for Americans only.”
Background:
- Hansjörg Wyss, a Swiss billionaire, has funneled at least $243 million to the dark money group Sixteen Thirty Fund.
- Sixteen Thirty Fund has invested nearly $130 million in ballot campaigns across 25 states over the last 10 years.
- As of November 2024, Sixteen Thirty Fund funneled over $37 million and counting to state ballot initiatives this election cycle.
- Top 2024 targets such as Ohio, Montana, Missouri, Arizona, and Nevada were among the states with ballot initiatives this cycle that have seen the most foreign dark money funding.
- Federal law prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to candidates and Super PACs, but there is no federal prohibition against foreign nationals funding ballot issue campaigns.
- State and federal lawmakers should work to close this “foreign influence loophole.”
Sixteen Thirty-Backed 2024 Ballot Initiatives
- In Ohio, Sixteen Thirty Fund spent: $6,669,800 on Issue 1 which would have codified gerrymandering. The ballot measure failed with 53.8% of the vote.
- In Florida, Sixteen Thirty Fund spent: $14,304,300 on Amendment 4 which would have codified abortion access into the state constitution. The ballot measure failed to meet the required 60% threshold, with 42.8% voting no and 57.2% voting yes.
- In Alaska, Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $109,600 on Measure 2 which would repeal rank choice voting in general elections. The ballot measure passed with 50.8% of the vote. Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $820,000 on Measure 1 which would raise Alaska’s minimum wage and require employers to provide paid sick leave. The ballot measure passed with 56.6% of the vote.
- In Arizona, Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $1,250,000 on Proposition 139 which created a constitutional right to abortion. The ballot measure passed with 61.2% of the vote.
- In Missouri, Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $4,595,501 on Amendment 3 which created a constitutional right to abortion in the state. The ballot measure passed with 51.6% of the vote. Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $3,549,168 on Proposition A which raised Missouri’s minimum wage and require employers to provide paid sick leave. The ballot measure passed with 57.6% of the vote.
- In Montana, Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $3,134,711 on Constitutional Initiative 128 which created a constitutional right to abortion in the state. The ballot measure passed with 57.6% of the vote. Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $130,250 on Constitutional Initiative 126 which would have established rank choice voting in state primaries. The ballot measure failed with 51.4% of the vote.
- In Nebraska, Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $1,916,252 on Initiative 436 which would require employers to provide paid sick leave. The ballot measure passed with 74.3% of the vote.
- In Nevada, Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $500,000 on Question 6 which created a constitutional right to abortion in the state. The measure passed with 64% of the vote.
