Twenty-five states weigh legislation on foreign funding in elections

Lawmakers in 25 states are considering new state laws or constitutional amendments so far this year related to foreign funding in elections.

Federal law prohibits federal, state, and local candidates from soliciting, directing, or receiving contributions from individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. The law also bans contributions from foreign governments, political parties, corporations, organizations, or groups whose principal place of business is in a foreign country.

Federal courts, however, have established that the federal ban does not apply to issue advocacy, such as lobbying or spending in ballot measure campaigns. The Federal Election Commission has affirmed that foreign individuals, corporations, and governments can contribute to ballot measure campaigns.


https://news.ballotpedia.org/2026/02/13/twenty-five-states-weigh-legislation-on-foreign-funding-in-elections-2/