LANSING — The Michigan House Election Integrity Committee debated three bills Tuesday related to foreign interference in state elections — in funding for ballot initiatives and election administration, and in the physical parts of election machines.

Testimony on both bills related to funding centered on the ability of foreign citizens to donate to 501(c)(4) organizations, nonprofits that are not required to disclose their donors — which can turn them into so-called “dark money” groups that donate to political activities without identifying where the money is coming from.

In terms of ballot initiatives, State Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville), who also chairs the committee, said that her bill, HB 5197, “would cancel foreign influence in our elections and ensure that only Michigan voices

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