Nineteen States, Mostly Republican-Led, Ban Foreign Ballot Initiative Funding in 2025

Missouri has become the 19th state to ban foreign financing of ballot measure campaigns, following similar legislation in Louisiana and other states, with the majority of these bans enacted by Republican-led governments in 2025. These laws prohibit foreign nationals, governments, and entities from directly or indirectly contributing to ballot initiative campaigns, aiming to protect the integrity of the election process from outside influence. Alaska remains one of the few states without such a ban, making it a target for outside entities to influence citizen-led ballot measures. Meanwhile, concerns about political campaign regulations and practices are rising globally, including issues with early campaign endorsements in Nigeria and controversies over far-right party financing in Europe. These developments highlight ongoing challenges and debates about transparency, influence, and fairness in electoral processes worldwide. Discussions about preserving democratic principles, such as due process and free expression, emphasize the need for reforms beyond just campaign finance laws.