Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed a bill into law on Thursday that prohibits foreign funding of statewide ballot initiatives and referendums, the Center Square reports.
House Bill 337, which received overwhelming bipartisan support, aims to prevent foreign nationals from influencing the state’s election process.
Under the new law, non-US citizens are barred from financially supporting ballot measure campaigns in Wyoming. Additionally, political action committees and other organizations involved in these efforts must now certify that they have not knowingly received donations from foreign individuals or entities.
The bill passed the Wyoming House of Representatives last month with a vote of 58-2 and was unanimously approved by the state Senate on Monday with a 31-0 vote.
Wyoming officials framed the legislation as a crucial step in safeguarding election integrity. Following the bill’s passage, the Secretary of State’s Office posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling it “a landmark piece of legislation” that ensures “foreign nationals are banned from meddling in Wyoming elections.”
Advocates of the law argue that it will protect Wyoming voters from outside influence. Caitlin Sutherland, executive director of Americans for Public Trust, praised the bill, calling it “a massive win for the people of Wyoming.”
The measure was partly inspired by concerns over the involvement of Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss, a non-US citizen who resides in Wyoming. According to reports, Wyss has donated over $243 million to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a progressive organization that has spent more than $130 million on ballot initiatives across 25 states.
Similar laws have been enacted in other states, though some have faced legal challenges. In Ohio, a comparable measure is currently being contested in court. It remains to be seen whether Wyoming’s new law will face similar legal scrutiny.
Supporters of the legislation maintain that it is necessary to ensure that only Wyomingites have a say in shaping the state’s laws through ballot initiatives.
“Wyomingites deserve to have their voices heard at the ballot box without foreign interests influencing voters and affecting election outcomes,” said Catherine Gunsalus, director of state advocacy at Heritage Action.
