Cole legislation would crack down on private influence in federal elections

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) on March 17 led more than a dozen fellow Republicans in introducing legislation that would prohibit a state from receiving or using funds or certain donations from private entities to administer an election for federal office.

Rep. Cole sponsored the Protect American Election Administration Act of 2022, H.R. 7117, with 16 original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Ann Wagner (R-MO), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Ken Calvert (R-CA), and Tom Rice (R-SC).

The bill “would prevent political agendas funded by private dollars from interfering with individual states’ non-partisan voting processes while ensuring that eligible voters have voting access,” said Rep. Cole.

Specifically, H.R. 7117 would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to say that a state may not solicit, receive or expend any payment or donation of funds, property or personal services from a private entity for the purpose of the administration of an election for federal office, including any programs with respect to voter education, voter outreach and voter registration, according to the text of the bill.

However, this section would “not apply with respect to the acceptance and use by a state of a donation from a private entity of space to be used for a polling place or an early voting site in the state,” the text says.

“When Americans go to the ballot box to cast their votes, they should have full confidence in the election systems that exist and serve them within our great republic,” Rep. Cole said. “After a tumultuous 2020 election cycle, it is clear that this confidence has taken a hit.”

If enacted, H.R. 7117 would apply to the regularly scheduled general election for federal office held in November 2022, and each succeeding election for federal office, according to the text.