Ohio’s March 19 primary commences today, marking the start of early in-person voting. Meanwhile, state senators are actively working on election-related legislation aimed at curbing foreign campaign contributions.
Senate Bills 215 and 137 are slated to be presented to the General Government Committee of the Senate.
According to Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, SB215 serves as a crucial expansion of the existing state prohibition on foreign contributions to candidates. The aim is to prevent similar political funding from reaching issue campaigns.
“According to Gavarone, the focus of Ohio’s elections should be on Ohioans, rather than allowing foreign individuals, governments, and entities to exert influence over our democracy and decision-making process. She believes that Senate Bill 215 is necessary to prevent foreign interference in statewide ballot issue campaigns, regardless of which side of the debate they support.”
After suffering defeats in three ballot issues last year, Republicans are now advocating for new legislation. These ballot issues included measures to increase the threshold for voter approval required to amend the state’s constitution, enshrine abortion rights in the constitution, and legalize recreational marijuana.
Republicans have argued that the outcome of those campaigns was influenced by a surge of external funds, including money from foreign sources.
According to a news release by Gavarone, The 1630 Fund, a dark money group, invested over $13 million in ballot campaigns in the state last year. Additionally, she mentioned that the fund was funded with over $200 million from a Swiss billionaire, as reported by the Associated Press.
Additionally, individuals with a green card who are permanent residents of the United States would also be prohibited from engaging in such activities.
