You walk into the voting booth thinking your voice matters. You research the ballot proposals, weigh the arguments, make your choice. Then you find out a Swiss billionaire you’ve never heard of spent millions to shape that very question you just voted on. 

Recently, I voted for legislation to stop that from happening. House Bills 5197 and 5198 close a dangerous loophole that has allowed foreign money to pour into Michigan ballot campaigns and election operations. 

The math is staggering. Since 2017, nearly $34 million in foreign-backed funding has flowed into Michigan through dark money groups like the Sixteen Thirty Fund. That money rewrote our election laws, amended our Constitution, and imposed new burdens on small businesses. Foreign nationals are already banned from contributing to candidates and political action committees. But ballot proposals? That door was wide open. 

These bills slam it shut. They require ballot committees to certify they haven’t received foreign funding. They strengthen enforcement of Michigan’s ban on foreign funding of election administration. They ensure that when Michiganders vote on a constitutional amendment or a statewide initiative, the debate is shaped by Michigan voices, not foreign billionaires with their own agenda. 

The House passed these bills with overwhelming bipartisan support, 97 to 6 and 99 to 4. Even Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson supports them. That tells you something. When both parties agree on election integrity, it’s because the problem is real and the solution is right. 

Foreign nationals should have zero influence over Michigan elections. Period. This legislation makes that principle the law. Michigan elections belong to Michigan voters, and the Michigan House took a critical step to protect that.