COLUMBUS, OHIO – Today, the Ohio Senate passed legislation banning foreign interference in Ohio’s elections. The bill will now be sent to Governor DeWine’s desk to be signed into law. Caitlin Sutherland, Executive Director of Americans for Public Trust, issued the following statement applauding the Ohio legislature for closing this foreign influence loophole.
“Today, the Ohio legislature reaffirmed a simple concept: foreign influence in our politics should not be tolerated. After we revealed a foreign-funded group spent more than $14 million on Ohio ballot issue campaigns last year, it’s clear this issue required swift action. We applaud the Ohio House and Senate for taking this important step to close this foreign influence loophole and look forward to Governor DeWine quickly signing the bill.
“We encourage other states to follow Ohio’s lead. According to our research, the foreign billionaire-backed Sixteen Thirty Fund spent nearly $100 million across 25 states in the last several election cycles. In order to preserve Americans’ confidence in our political system, lawmakers across the country must act swiftly to close this foreign influence loophole.”
BACKGROUND:
- As reported by Americans for Public Trust, foreign interests influencing our elections is not just a hypothetical problem.
- Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has given $243 million to the Left-wing Sixteen Thirty Fund, which advocates for progressive policies across the country.
- The Sixteen Thirty Fund spent more than $14 million on ballot campaigns in Ohio in 2023.
- According to recent polling, 85% of registered voters in Ohio agree that foreign nationals should not be influencing our elections, while 68% would support a law to block indirect foreign influence of elections.
