Michigan House votes to ban foreign cash in ballot campaigns, election administration
Lansing — The Michigan House has voted overwhelmingly in favor of a measure that would block foreign contributions to Michigan ballot campaigns and election administration.
The bills, which passed the Republican-led House 97-6 and 99-4 on Thursday, aim to close a loophole in the overlap of state and federal laws, which already prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to political candidates and super political action committees, said state Rep. Rachelle Smit, a Martin Republican who sponsored one of the bills.
"This critical loophole exposes state and local initiatives and referenda to otherwise illegal foreign influence," said Smit, who leads the House Election Integrity Committee. The bill, she argued, would "end foreign influence in our elections and ensure only Michigan voices get to decide our state laws."
The bills move next to the Democratic-led state Senate.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/06/michigan-house-votes-to-ban-foreign-cash-in-ballot-campaigns-election-administration/88534044007/
