COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Ohio Elections Commission, established three decades ago to investigate complaints of campaign finance violations, is now scrambling to have its funding restored after its entire budget was left out of an Ohio House spending plan for next year.
During a February meeting, members of the House Finance Committee questioned the commission’s effectiveness and attendance record.
State Representative Marilyn John of Richland County raised concerns about commission members’ attendance, noting that more than half of last year’s meetings had absences.
Representative Brian Stewart of Asheville questioned the commission’s adherence to procedural rules, asking, “Is this commission really working as it was intended when it was created?”
Elections Commission members learning a few weeks ago that the House’s version of the budget omitted the entire $800,000 allocated to the independent commission.
Philip Richter, the commission’s executive director, said, “That was a bit disturbing to say the least, very much out of the ordinary, I am not aware of anything ever being done like that.”
If the commission is defunded in the final state budget, its responsibilities would be divided between the Secretary of State’s Office and local county boards of elections.
Aaron Ockerman, executive director of the Ohio Association of Election Officials, said, “Definitely a big change we were not expecting,” adding that funding these activities is crucial.
Richter expressed concern about shifting responsibilities, stating, “I have great respect for the boards of elections, but their responsibilities are holding elections, not dealing with campaign finance reform.”
The Ohio Secretary of State’s Office issued a statement highlighting the need for a more effective process for enforcing finance laws. The office revealed that nearly $100 million in fines issued by the commission remain uncollected, describing it as “a poor track record” that sends the wrong message about law enforcement.
Richter is scheduled to appear before a Senate committee next week to request the restoration of the commission’s funding. The final decision on the agency’s budget will be made by the governor, with a decision expected in June.
“You would like to think that people want to make sure they are compliant and the persons responsible for assuring compliance will be allowed to do their job,” said Richter.
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