Category – Campaign Finance

Ohio Ethics Commission Clarifies Rules for Public Officials’ Civil Legal Defense Funds

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:01 -0500

Tidying Up: Spring Cleaning for Your PAC

Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:02 -0400

There Is Such a Thing as Bad Publicity

Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:03 -0400

Ohio Ethics Commission Clarifies Rules for Public Officials’ Civil Legal Defense Funds

Matthew R. Koppitch — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:04 -0500

On January 22, 2026, the Ohio Ethics Commission (OEC) issued an opinion regarding public official’s use of civil legal defense funds. The Commission found that while Ohio’s ethics laws do not prohibit a public official from soliciting contributions to the civil legal defense fund, public officials cannot solicit or accept contributions from prohibited sources, including individuals, businesses, or entities that are doing or seeking to do business with, regulated by, or interested in matters before the public agency the official serves.

Supreme Court of Ohio Announces Adoption of Increased Judicial Campaign Limits

Rachael N. Guastella, Matthew R. Koppitch — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:00:05 -0400

Last week, the Supreme Court of Ohio announced the adoption of increased judicial campaign contribution limits beginning with the 2025 election cycle.

2022 General Election Update

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 09:00:06 -0500

On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Ohioans, like the rest of the country, cast ballots in the 2022 General Election. Ohioans voted on all statewide constitutional offices, one U.S. Senate seat, and several important statewide and local ballot issues. Early turnout for the 2022 General Election was greater than the previous statewide 2018 general election.

July 21 is the Pre-Primary campaign finance filing deadline for the August 2 Primary Election

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 09:00:07 -0400

Please be reminded that because of Ohio’s bifurcated Primary Elections, today is the Pre-Primary campaign finance filing deadline for the August 2 Primary Election, to disclose activity through July 13, 2022. If your political action committee (PAC) engaged in any activity related to the primary elections for State House or State Senate, you may need to file a report by the end of business today, July 21, 2022. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Ohio’s campaign finance laws permit use of peer-to-peer payment systems

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:08 -0500

If you are thinking about using Venmo to accept campaign donations, you now have guidance from the Ohio Elections Commission to permissibly do so.

FEC releases coordinated party expenditure limits for 2020

Rachael N. Guastella — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 09:00:09 -0500

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has adjusted coordinated party expenditure limits for 2020.

Political contributions from prohibited sources

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 09:00:10 -0400

Under federal law, political contributions from prohibited sources must be disgorged by either refunding the contribution to the contributor or sending it to the U.S. Treasury within 30 days of the date the contribution is discovered.

Campaign contribution fraud ends with county executive’s indictment

Wed, 15 May 2019 09:00:11 -0400

A yearlong investigation involving the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the IRS resulted in the indictment of Steve Stenger, St. Louis County Executive.

Now available: 2019 contribution limits, campaign finance reporting and lobbyist reporting resource

Wed, 15 May 2019 09:00:12 -0400

With 2019 legislative sessions underway in both Columbus and Washington, D.C., state and federal lobbying and campaign finance regulators have issued new reporting calendars and contribution limits for the current biennium. Staying up to date on these limits and deadlines is important for anyone participating in the political process.

Top five Ohio lobbying activities for 2018

Matthew R. Koppitch — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 09:00:13 -0400

In its 2018 Lobbying Statistics Report, JLEC and the Office of the Legislative Inspector General uncover trends in how Ohio lobbyists spent their time throughout the year.

FEC details over $10 billion in political spending in the 2017-18 federal election cycle

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 09:00:14 -0400

The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) recently issued a summary of contributions and expenditures reported between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018.

Tidying up: Spring cleaning for your PAC

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 09:00:15 -0400

With a busy state election cycle behind us and a federal election cycle on the horizon, spring is an ideal time to give your Political Action Committee (PAC) a thorough cleaning.

Ohio Secretary of State pens letter calling for campaign finance transparency

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 09:00:16 -0400

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently outlined his philosophy on the need for greater transparency in Ohio’s campaign finance system.

FEC announces contribution limits for 2019–2020 elections

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 09:00:17 -0500

Announced February, 8, 2019, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) increased the individual contribution limit for the 2019–2020 election cycle to $2,800 per candidate.

Sandusky, Ohio, deems Election Day a paid holiday for city employees

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 09:00:18 -0500

In an effort to show its dedication to diversity, the city of Sandusky, Ohio, will no longer recognize Columbus Day as a paid holiday.

Campaign funds can be used for cybersecurity-related expenses

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:00:19 -0500

Recently, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) issued advisory opinion 2018-15, allowing “members of Congress [to] use campaign funds for cybersecurity-related expenses for their personal electronic devices.”

Columbus approves new campaign finance contribution limits

Matthew R. Koppitch — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 09:00:20 -0500

On January 14, 2019, Columbus City Council voted to approve new campaign finance contribution limits.