Secretary LaRose urges lawmakers to close loopholes allowing foreign and corporate influence on Ohio’s elections

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued a letter Tuesday to state legislative leaders urging immediate action to close a “foreign influence” loophole in state campaign finance law.

LaRose told Senate President Matt Huffman and House Speaker Jason Stephens that a legislative fix is needed to prevent non-citizens from bankrolling campaigns for or against proposed statewide ballot issues.

“In reviewing the campaign finance records associated with two statewide constitutional ballot issues in 2023, my staff compiled evidence showing foreign nationals have funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into 501(c) entities, which then spent millions of dollars in Ohio to influence the outcomes of these proposed constitutional amendments,” LaRose told lawmakers. “Voters must have absolute confidence that our elections are never tainted by foreign influence. This loophole must be closed immediately, and parties giving and receiving illegal funds must be deterred from these actions. I appeal to you for swift consideration of a legislative solution, as we’ve already seen petitions being circulated for proposed constitutional amendments from redistricting reform to same-day voter registration, with others no doubt coming."

Secretary LaRose also highlighted two additional areas of campaign finance law that need legislative attention, including right-sizing penalties to deter illegal corporate dollars from influencing Ohio elections and a clear protocol for approving no- or low-cost cybersecurity services to campaigns. 

To help address these concerns, he included draft legislative language for the Ohio General Assembly to consider. This language includes the following proposals:

1. Expand the current campaign finance prohibition on foreign nationals to include indirect contributions targeting ballot issues and questions.

2. Enhance deterrence by fining campaign finance violators an amount equal to three times the amount of money involved in the illegal act.

3. Enforce the same fine on organizations receiving these illegal funds.

4. Enact new safeguards requiring companies that offer free or low-cost cybersecurity services to candidates and campaign committees to be reviewed and confirmed by the Board of Voting Machine Examiners.

“Our goal in the administration of Ohio’s elections is simple: easy to vote and hard to cheat,” LaRose added. “This can only be achieved, however, if we continue to look for ways to improve the integrity of the process.”

Interest groups attempting to access the November 2024 ballot have already begun circulating petitions to amend Ohio’s constitution with language related to redistricting reform, the elimination of election integrity safeguards, an increase in the minimum wage and qualified immunity.