An organization that received $250 million from Mark Zuckerberg and his wife is allegedly giving grants to aid elections in predominantly Democrat-dominant areas, raising partisan accusations. | Adobe Stock
An organization that received $250 million from Mark Zuckerberg and his wife is allegedly giving grants to aid elections in predominantly Democrat-dominant areas, raising partisan accusations. | Adobe Stock
Donations totaling $300 million from Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chann, to two nonprofit organizations for promoting safe and reliable voting have raised allegations of Democrat ties within those organizations and the possibility the money might be directed in ways that would aim to swing the upcoming election away from Republicans.
Humboldt County Clerk Tami Spero told the North Nevada News that she had received a letter from the Office of the Nevada Secretary of State regarding a grant from The Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) – which received $250 million of the $300 million — and that Ballotpedia reported has been accused of ties to the Democratic Party.
Spero applied for the grant and received notice of an award. However, after learning of the organization's controversy, she told the North Nevada News that she ultimately declined the grant.
The Wisconsin Voters Alliance filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Election Commission regarding the use of CTCL funds, alleging that the organization's grants are intentionally limited to areas that have traditionally leaned Democratic to boost voter turnout only among Democratic voters.
The press release from the Wisconsin Voters Alliance alleges that "CTCL is a left-leaning election activist group pushing major government voting initiatives in Democratic strongholds, which raises alarms about the integrity of the November election and demonstrates a present danger in allowing private groups to influence elections."
Scott Walter, president of the Capital Research Center, is cited by Ballotpedia as alleging that CTCL staffers are former operatives from the Democratic Party whose choices in distributing grants betrays their true motives to sway the election. However, CTCL describes itself as, "a nonpartisan nonprofit that uses technology to improve the way local governments and communities interact."
In addition to Wisconsin locations that have received funding and are Democratic-leaning, the Wisconsin Voters Alliance's complaint also notes funding that went to Philadelphia, with both Wisconsin and Philadelphia standing as very close wins for Trump in 2016.
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