ALEC Policy Champions Advance Election Integrity Against Foreign Influence

ALEC is honored to recognize Sen. Adrian Dickey and Rep. Austin Harris as ALEC Policy Champions for their leadership and initiative in advancing and passing HF 2601. This important legislation establishes safeguards against foreign influence in Iowa ballot issue campaigns and strengthens public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.

This law closely aligns with the ALEC model policy Prohibiting Foreign Funding From Ballot Measures Act. While foreign nationals were already prohibited from contributing to candidates, political committees, and Super PACs under federal law, this restriction did not fully apply to ballot initiatives, creating a loophole for foreign influence to continue in Iowa’s elections.

Because of this same loophole, foreign-linked money has been used to support ballot measure efforts in many states across the country. Several states have witnessed substantial amounts of foreign‑tied funding in their ballot campaigns. Michigan ballot initiatives alone have received approximately $33 million in such contributions, while states including Arizona, Florida, and Missouri have similarly experienced multimillion‑dollar inflows. HF 2601 closes this loophole, making Iowa the 11th state to enact a direct-and-indirect prohibition on foreign funding in ballot issue campaigns.

Thanks to the leadership of Sen. Adrian Dickey and Rep. Austin Harris, Iowans can have greater confidence that their elections will be protected from foreign influence and decided by Iowa voters.