Vote “Yes” On Both Constitutional Amendments: Opinion

Copied!

Guest Commentary by Barb Griffin and Karen Stratton Bichanich
(Both women submitted letters to the editor to our local newspaper, who refused to publish them. While KCE doesn’t normally accept LTEs, these views align with KCE’s so we agreed to publish them here.)

Paid Advertisement

In 2020, a private foundation called the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) gave more than $10 million to local Wisconsin governments to conduct elections. The CTCL is funded entirely by left-wing entities, principally Facebook and Google.

Paid Advertisement

Some claim the CTCL is purely civic-minded and its donations non-partisan. Perhaps. But consider: Would the people who support the CTCL’s involvement in our elections still do so if the CTCL were funded by Elon Musk’s Musk Foundation? Clearly, the answer is “no”. And they would be right.

Paid Advertisement

On April 2, two questions will appear on the ballot concerning how our elections are to be conducted. Question 1 would amend the Wisconsin constitution to ban local government from accepting non-governmental funds or equipment for administering elections. Question 2 would amend the constitution to limit the conduct of elections to “election officials designated by law”. Both will enhance the fairness and even-handedness of our elections.

Paid Advertisement

It matters that our elections not only are fair, but are seen to be fair. That is why, for example, when you vote on election day, one of the inspectors handing you your ballot is a Republican and the other a Democrat. That is why we ban electioneering in or around polling places. That is why we have strict rules governing early voting and mail-in ballots. And that is why the running of our elections must not be influenced – or even appear to be influenced – by private money.

Paid Advertisement

That why I will be voting “Yes” on the two questions on the April ballot, to ban private money from our elections. I urge my fellow citizens to do likewise.

Barb Griffin, Kenosha

_________________________________________________________________________

In the upcoming election on April 2, we will vote on two important amendments to the Wisconsin constitution. Both are designed to protect our elections from partisan meddling. Question 1 will block local governments from soliciting or accepting non-government funds or equipment for the administration of elections. Question 2 will restrict the administration of elections to election officials authorized by law.

Question 2 is simply common sense: After all, who other than officials appointed by law should administer our elections?

As for Question 1, while “free” money from foundations is attractive, it’s important to remember that private entities have private interests. When a private entity is involved in funding and organizing an election, one must ask whether the election is being bent in the direction that that private entity favors. This is particularly true when the money is coming from a billionaire zealot like Mark Zuckerberg.

Critics claim that these measures are intended to “block access to the ballot.” This is nonsense. Wisconsin has the money to administer our elections properly and openly. If private organizations wish to participate in our elections, they’re still perfectly free to do so; all Questions 1 and 2 would do is keep private money, and therefore private interests, out of the administration of elections.

On April 2, Wisconsin can join 27 other states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia, in restricting billionaire money from interfering in the administration of our elections: Vote “YES” on Question 1 and Question 2.

Karen Stratton Bichanich

_________________________________________________________________________

Back in 2022, I wrote an op-ed titled “Let’s Stop Dark Money from Influencing Our Elections“. Please check out that article for a full breakdown of what happened in the 2020 election. Five Democrat mayors from Wisconsin cities convened to write a joint contract to use Zuckerberg’s money for a Get-Out-The-Vote campaign targeted specifically at Democrat voters.

I’ve been asked a few times if the first referendum question will ban campaign funding from outside states, and it’s important to understand that it does NOT. Private individuals or companies will still be able to donate to campaigns as always. Instead, we want to ban the government itself from accepting election funds to prevent influence from malicious sources. Our elections need to remain neutral.

For any readers who believe everything was fine with the money that came in for the 2020 election, I ask you this: Presumably, you like the politics of our current mayor and the decisions made for the last election, but what would happen if our next mayor is someone you disagree with? You won’t want that new mayor to have this power.

District 8 Alderman Dave Mau

_________________________________________________________________________

Author

Copied!
LATEST NEWS

School Funding, the Budget Surplus, and Tax Cuts – Q&A With Rep. Nedweski

As we near the February 18th election, I reached out to State Representative Amanda Nedweski (R-Pleasant Prairie) to address some frequently asked questions about the KUSD operating referendum as it relates to state funding. Kenosha Unified is asking voters if they approve of a property tax that is higher than the state’s statutory levy limit by about $23 million per year through 2030 – or a cumulative amount of $115 million over that time period. The

Read More »

Civil Suit Against Fired Groomer KUSD Teacher Moved To Federal Court, More Defendants Added

Kenosha, Wis. – Former KTEC West science teacher Christian Enwright is facing a civil lawsuit and criminal charges after allegedly grooming a 13-year-old student, later 14, over an eight-month period from June 2023 to February 2024. The lawsuit, filed on May 20, 2024, in Kenosha County Circuit Court, accuses Enwright of manipulating and emotionally abusing the student to establish a future sexual relationship. The Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD), which originally faced the lawsuit in state

Read More »
MORE TOP STORIES

Here Are The Government Employees Who Work In Kenosha County And How Much They Make

In the spirit of transparency, Kenosha County Eye requested salary information from the following government agencies in late 2024: Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD)City of KenoshaCounty of Kenosha Kenosha County District Attorney’s OfficeWisconsin State Public Defender’s Office Village of Paddock LakeVillage of Pleasant PrairieVillage of Twin LakesVillage of Salem LakesVillage of Somers Town of RandallTown of Wheatland Westosha Central High SchoolTrevor-Wilmot School DistrictTwin Lakes School DistrictWilmot Union High SchoolRiverview Salem Silver Lakes Silver Lakes School DistrictUW

Read More »

KUSD’s Choral Fest Marred By Referendum Advocacy From Guest Conductor

Kenosha, Wis.– The 58th Annual Choral Festival, a cherished event that showcases the talent of Kenosha’s youth choirs, was overshadowed tonight by a controversial political speech that left many attendees feeling uncomfortable and disappointed. The evening, which was meant to celebrate the hard work and musical accomplishments of local students, took an unexpected turn when Ms. Lynn Swanson, the director of the New South Festival Singers and the Cobb Summer Singers from suburban Atlanta, Georgia, took

Read More »

75-Year-Old Bar Owner Sentenced to Four Years for Fatal Hit-and-Run in Kenosha

Kenosha, Wis. – A 75-year-old man was sentenced on Thursday to four years in prison for a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a pedestrian in Kenosha in 2023. William E. Koprovic pleaded guilty to Hit and Run Involving Death, a charge stemming from the June 25, 2023, incident in which he struck and killed 42-year-old Scott Mingilino. He owns Rendezvous Tiki Bar in Kenosha. Kenosha County Judge Anthony Milisauskas handed down the sentence after reviewing

Read More »

Runnin’ With the Devil: KCE Q&A With Attorney and Author Michael Cicchini

What’s the definition of an IMPARTIAL JUROR in a criminal case?  You might think it’s a juror who has no financial ties or loyalties to either the defendant or to the prosecutor’s office.  But you’d be wrong!  So says local defense attorney and author Michael Cicchini in his newest law review article, The Devil’s Dictionary of Criminal Procedure.   KCE asked him about the article, how he came up with that title, and what his definition is

Read More »

Menominee Tribe Responds to KCE’s Report On Casino Concerns Amid Community Skepticism

Kenosha residents and local officials are raising serious concerns over the proposed Menominee Hard Rock Hotel & Casino project, as promises made by the tribe remain unfulfilled and new doubts emerge about the viability of the venture. After years of assurances that federal approval was imminent, the Menominee Tribe has yet to deliver, leaving many in the community questioning whether this casino will ever materialize—or if it should at all. A History of Missed Deadlines and

Read More »

KUSD Cuts Law Enforcement Access to Student Database, Citing Privacy Law

Kenosha, Wis. – The Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) has reportedly restricted law enforcement access to a critical student database, raising concerns about school safety and investigative efforts. The database, known as Infinite Campus, is widely used by KUSD parents and staff to manage student records. Local law enforcement has historically relied on the system for various investigations, from issuing truancy citations to gathering intelligence on school threats, including potential shootings and other emergencies. A reliable

Read More »

Kenosha County Eye to Intensify Focus on Judiciary

Kenosha, Wis. – Kenosha County Eye (KCE) is sharpening its investigative focus on the Kenosha judiciary, a move prompted by growing concerns over judicial accountability and transparency. KCE has, at times, been critical of the Kenosha County Circuit Court judges, who, in a unique rotation system, oversee all areas of law. Currently, Judges Anthony Milisauskas, Angelina Gabriele, Jason Rossell, and Gerad Dougvillo handle criminal cases, while Judges Jodi Meier, Chad Kerkman, David Wilk, and Heather Iverson preside

Read More »

Governor Tony Evers Denies Pardon For Kenosha County Serial Arsonist

Silver Lake, Wis. – Governor Tony Evers (D) has denied the pardon application of 48-year-old Allen M. Dunski, Jr., a former firefighter and convicted serial arsonist from Kenosha County’s west side. The rejection, issued on November 15, 2024, came despite Dunski’s claims of rehabilitation and community service. A letter sent to Dunski by the Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board stated: “While the Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board commends you for the positive strides you have taken since completing

Read More »

Kenosha Man Charged with Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child, Held on $1M Bail

Kenosha, Wis. – A 43-year-old Kenosha man was formally charged today with Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child in Kenosha County Circuit Court. If convicted, Jesus Alcocer-Bautista faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison. During his court appearance, Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis requested a $1,000,000 cash bail, citing the severity of the allegations and the need to protect the community. Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner William Michel II granted the request and

Read More »

10-Year-Old Girl Still Too Terrified To Return To School After Sexual Assault on Bus

**Explicit Content** Kenosha, Wis. — A 10-year-old girl from Nash Elementary School remains too afraid to return to school months after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by two male students on her bus ride home. Despite criminal charges, Title IX investigations, and pleas from the child’s mother, the Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) has yet to remove one of the accused students from the school, leaving the victim in limbo. KCE first reported on this matter

Read More »
Categories
Archives
Authors

4 Responses

  1. Great letters, ladies. I will be voting “Yes” to both amendments to our Wisconsin Constitution. If there is only one thing we ought to expect government alone to do, it is to administer our elections without private, partisan actors or private, partisan funding.

    6
    2
  2. It doesn’t matter if they are still doing Mail in voting. 95% of which are unconstitutional/illegal. Voting should only be IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY. Get ready for the great steal again. It’s not who you vote for, it’s who counts the illegal votes.

    P.s.
    Voting is fake n gay

    2
    3
  3. In the 2020 election, my wife received 2 ballots in the mail.

    It’s the little ways they corrupt free and fair elections.

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST NEWS
Categories
Archives
Authors

Subscribe to updates

Get notified of new articles. We'll never share your email address.