Ohio aims to reinstate ban on political donations from foreign nationals [View all]
Source: Courthouse News Service
July 23, 2025
CINCINNATI (CN) — The threat of foreign influence in American elections is grave enough to allow states to ban political contributions from noncitizens, the state of Ohio argued Wednesday before the Sixth Circuit.
Citing concerns about the "corrosive effects" of foreign money "pouring into campaign issues," the Buckeye State passed an election spending law in 2024 that prohibited foreign nationals and those with green cards from making campaign contributions in any election. Several citizens of other countries and Ohio Progressive Asian Women's Leadership — Building AAPI Feminist Leadership, or OPAWL, filed suit in federal court and claimed the law violated the First Amendment.
U.S. District Judge Michael Watson, an appointee of George W. Bush, agreed and granted their motion for an injunction in September 2024 to prevent enforcement of the law against legal permanent residents.
In his opinion, Watson recognized concerns about foreign influence dating back to the Founding Fathers, but he ultimately found the Ohio law violated the constitutional rights of permanent residents. He cited the lack of any evidence that noncitizens had ever influenced elections. He pointed out they pay taxes, which gives them a "long-term stake" in local, state and national elections.
Read more: https://www.courthousenews.com/ohio-aims-to-reinstate-ban-on-political-donations-from-foreign-nationals/
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