Ohio Ban on Foreign Donations to Ballot Campaigns Blocked by Federal Judge

A federal judge blocked Ohio’s ban on foreign nationals and green card holders contributing to ballot campaigns, ruling that it violated the First Amendment rights of non-U.S. citizens living in the country legally. The judge, Michael H. Watson, said that while Ohio lawmakers may have a legitimate interest in protecting ballot issues from foreign influence, the law missed the mark by not limiting contributions from foreign companies. The penalty for violating the ban is a fine or potential felony charges. The lawsuit challenging the ban was filed by various organizations and individuals, and the judge’s ruling stated that both non-U.S. citizens and U.S. citizens have the right to hear the political speech of lawful resident foreign nationals. The ban on foreign contributions was added to a bill that changed the deadline for presidential nominees to make the Ohio ballot, and Republican lawmakers had warned that it could be challenged in court. Watson’s decision emphasized the importance of free speech and the rights of green card holders and other legal residents.

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