How Private Philanthropy Supercharged the 2020 Election: The Audacious Story of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute and the Center for Tech and Civic Life in Local Election Administration

This chapter examines the role of private philanthropy in local election administration during the 2020 election, and how philanthropy sought to increase nonpartisan voter access. Through the examination of two programs—the USC Schwarzenegger Institute and the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL)—I find bipartisan support and show these philanthropic programs made an impact. I also uncover backlash from conspiracy-minded observers. Nonpartisan philanthropic groups changed how the 2020 election was conducted. These programs allowed for a more expansive election administration during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the workers who administered the elections did so at personal risk. These programs can show us how future elections can be funded, protected, and expanded using government dollars.