City of Columbus contribution reporting requirements
In Ohio, “the heart of it all,” most even-numbered years bring national attention by way of a presidential election or high-profile U.S. Senate or governor’s race. Because all elections matter, there is no such thing as an “off-year” election. And in this odd-numbered year, campaigns are being waged for local candidates across the state.
Political action committees (PACs) and other politically active entities should be mindful that some cities have their own campaign finance laws. Municipal campaign finance ordinances may set limits on contributions, require campaign finance disclosures or both.
The City of Columbus does not set contribution limits, but it recently amended its campaign finance ordinances to promote greater transparency for the public. The Columbus ordinance requires candidates, PACs and parties to disclose contributions made to city candidates or municipal ballot issues by reporting activity to both the Columbus City Clerk and the Franklin County Board of Elections. In 2017, that means a contribution to candidates running for city attorney, city auditor or city council.
If you’ve made a contribution to a candidate for one of those offices this year, it’s vital that you consult the city’s ordinance to determine your filing requirements. More information on the Columbus ordinance can be found here.
