Ohio House Passes Bill to Ban Foreign Interference in State Elections, Fix General Election Ballot Issue

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House recently passed House Bill 1, legislation banning foreign nationals from contributing to ballot initiatives, announced State Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula).  

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Under current state and federal law, it is illegal for foreign nationals to donate to political candidates, but ballot issues are not addressed. By extending current law to ban foreign donations to state ballot issues, this legislation aims to protect Ohio’s election integrity and ensure foreign influence does not sway election results.⿯⿯ 

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“Foreign money is an unnecessary outside influence that should be kept out of Ohio elections,” said Fowler Arthur. 

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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.⿯ 
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The Ohio House also passed House Bill 2, legislation that will delay the deadline for a major political party to certify its presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2024 general election, ensuring that candidates from both major political parties appear on Ohio’s ballots.   

“House Bill 2 ensures that every Ohioan has the opportunity to support the candidate of their choosing,” said Fowler Arthur.

Both measures were signed into law by Governor DeWine.