Ohio Administrative Code Title 111:2 - Campaign Finance
Ohio Administrative Code – Title 111:2: Campaign Finance (Summary)
Title 111:2 contains the administrative rules issued by the Ohio Secretary of State to implement Ohio’s campaign finance laws (primarily under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3517). These rules apply to state and local candidates, PACs, political parties, and others participating in Ohio elections.
Chapter 111:2-1 — General Provisions
This chapter establishes foundational rules and definitions used throughout Ohio’s campaign finance system.
Key points:
Purpose and Scope: Explains that the rules govern campaign committees, political action committees, political parties, and other regulated entities involved in state and local elections.
Definitions: Includes terms such as “in-kind contribution,” “expenditure,” “committee,” and other essential campaign finance terminology.
Local Candidate Waiver: Allows certain low-activity local candidates to file simplified reports or, in limited cases, waive full reporting requirements.
Committee Naming Rules: Specifies how candidate committees and PACs must name themselves.
Loans: Describes how loans to and from committees must be documented and reported.
Time Computation: Clarifies how days are counted for filing deadlines.
Chapter 111:2-2 — Independent Expenditures and Candidate Personal Funds
This chapter instructs individuals, groups, corporations, and labor organizations about the rules for making independent expenditures and outlines how candidate personal funds may be used.
Highlights:
Independent Expenditures Defined: Must be made without coordination with any candidate or campaign committee.
Reporting: Anyone making independent expenditures above certain thresholds must file reports.
Candidate Personal Funds: Candidates may use unlimited personal funds for their own campaigns.
Corporate and Labor Advocacy: Corporations, nonprofits, and labor organizations may advocate for/against candidates so long as there is no coordination with the candidate or committee.
Chapter 111:2-3 — Political Action Committees (PACs)
This chapter covers the formation and regulation of PACs.
Includes:
Requirements for PAC registration.
Rules governing PAC treasurers and financial agents.
Reporting obligations for contributions and expenditures.
Chapter 111:2-4 — Contributions and Campaign Finance Statements
This chapter specifies how contributions, expenditures, and filings must be handled.
Key elements:
Contribution Reporting: All contributions—including monetary, in-kind, and loans—must be documented according to standardized rules.
Campaign Finance Statements: Outlines the schedule and content required for periodic campaign finance reports.
Short Form Reporting: Some small campaigns may qualify to file a simplified “short form” report if they stay below defined financial thresholds.
Recordkeeping: Treasurers must maintain detailed records of contributions, expenditures, and supporting documentation such as receipts or canceled checks.
Filing Fees: Addresses how filing fees are treated for reporting purposes.
Required Forms: Statements must be submitted using prescribed forms or the approved electronic format.
Chapter 111:2-5 — Electronic Filing and Procedural Rules
Covers the mechanics of electronically filing campaign finance reports.
Includes rules on:
Use of the state’s electronic filing system.
Submitting supporting documents.
Technical requirements for electronic submissions.
Deadlines, corrections, and amendments.
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