Central Ohio Today

State Representative Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) has voted in favor of legislation aimed at preventing foreign nationals from funding Ohio’s ballot issues, thereby preserving the integrity of state elections.

The Ohio House of Representatives convened for a special session Thursday to consider House Bill 1, which seeks to prevent foreign money from being used in state ballot issues. The legislation passed along party lines (64-31) with Richardson's support.

“I voted to protect Ohioans from foreign interference in our elections. Americans have every right to donate and expend their dollars in campaigns, but foreigners need to remain out of voting decisions made in Ohio,” Richardson said.

Federal and state law already prohibit foreign nationals from donating to political candidates. With the passing of House Bill 1, foreign nationals and the organizations they donate to will be banned from any of the following:

- Prohibit direct and indirect contributions from foreign nationals

- Ban the spending, including independent expenditures, of funds tied to foreign nationals

- Ensure independent investigatory and enforcement power by the Ohio Attorney General

The House also accepted an amendment to prevent green card holders from making donations. Currently, green card holders are not allowed to vote in elections or donate money to political candidates but can donate to ballot issues. The accepted amendment will redefine green card holders as foreign nationals, preventing them from all types of political or ballot issue donations.

“The amendment upholds the principle that if an individual is not eligible to vote in Ohio that they also should not be able to donate to influence an election issue,” Richardson said. “That makes common sense to me.”

The Ohio House also voted on extending the deadline for the certification of the 2024 presidential ballot Thursday with House Bill 2. Presidential candidates must be certified by their political parties before being certified on each state's ballot. In Ohio, ballots must be certified by Aug. 1; however, the Democratic Party will not certify their nominee for the 2024 presidential election until their national convention at the end of August.

House Bill 2 would extend the certification deadline until early September. Richardson voted in favor of this legislation, which ultimately passed by a vote of (63-31).

“My support of H.B. 2 is certainly not a reflection of my personal preference for a candidate. My vote ensures that the primary nominee of both major political parties appears on the ballot. It provides fair opportunity for Ohioans to vote for their candidate of choice. That is the American way,” Richardson added.

The legislation will now head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.