Ohio House Passes Bill to Ban Foreign Interference in State Elections

COLUMBUS-The Ohio House today passed House Bill 1, legislation that will ban foreign nationals from contributing to ballot initiatives, announced State Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport).

Under current state and federal law, it is illegal for foreign nationals to donate to political candidates, but there is no precedent for ballot issues. This loophole has left the Buckeye State vulnerable to foreign national interference. By expanding the current law to ban foreign donations to Ohio’s ballot issues, the legislation will protect Ohio’s election integrity and ensure foreign influence will not sway future election results.  

“Simply put, Ohioans should be the ones who determine Ohio elections,” said Jones. “Foreign nationals have no business influencing our state ballot issues. My colleagues and I made the right decision to ban foreign interference in the Buckeye State.”

To remedy this issue, House Bill 1 will do the following: 

Prohibit direct and indirect contributions from foreign nationals;
Ban the spending, including independent expenditures, of funds tied to foreign nationals; and 
Ensure independent investigatory and enforcement power by the Ohio Attorney General.
 

House Bill 1 awaits further consideration from the Ohio Senate.