Page 24 - Leisure Living Spring 2016

Campaign Contributions
Continued from page 23
Q: Can my child give?
A: Ohio law prohibits children under age seven from contributing, but children age seven or older may contribute within the limits described above. Also, unlike some other states, there is no statute limiting the total amount a family can donate.
Q: Can my company donate?
A: It depends on the type of company. Partnerships, limited liability companies and other unincorpo- rated business entities are allowed to donate to candidates, but Ohio law restricts corporations from donating directly to a candidate’s campaign committee or a political party.
However, restrictions that previously applied in Ohio were affected by a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling called Citizens United. Now, cor- porations (for profit and non-profit) and labor unions are allowed to donate more freely to election campaigns. These organizations, as well as any individual or group of individuals, are allowed to sponsor advertising—without finan- cial limits—that endorses candidates, as long as the entity does not directly contribute to, or coordinate with, the candidate or the candidate’s campaign committee.
Q: Can I contribute freely to the local race for dog warden?
A: Ohio law puts no restrictions on local or county races, but local governments are allowed
to create their own regulations about campaign contributions, and some have done so.
Q: Are candidates restricted in how they use their campaign funds?
A: Yes. Candidates must use their funds for ordinary, necessary and verifiable expenses. This means that candidates may not use their cam- paign funds for business or for clearly personal needs. However, these rules are broad and allow for spending that might not seem like campaign- ing. Candidates have been allowed to use their campaign funds for certain meals, trips and even to pay fines related to campaign law violations.
Q: What about contributions to candidates for federal office?
A: Federal law applies to campaign spending for candidates running for Congress and President. Contribution limits are set in the following amounts:
• $2,600 to a federal candidate or the candidate’s campaign committee in each election period (primaries and general elections are considered different election periods);
• $2,600 per presidential election period; •$5,000toapoliticalactioncommittee(PAC)in the same calendar year;
• $32,400 each calendar year to a national party committee.
Q: Can anyone contribute to federal candi- dates?
A: No. A citizen of another country is not allowed to contribute to any U.S. candidate, unless that person is a permanent resident of the United States. Additionally, anyone considered a gov- ernment contractor—even consultants—may not contribute to federal candidates. For more infor- mation about federal campaign laws, visit www. fec.gov.
This “Law You Can Use” consumer legal infor- mation column was provided by the Ohio State Bar Association. It was prepared by Columbus attorney Paul Aker. Articles appearing in this column are intended to provide broad, general information about the law. Before applying this information to a specific legal problem, readers are urged to seek advice from an attorney.
Ottawa County Museum
OPEN
Labor Day - Memorial Day Wednesdays noon-3pm Memorial Day - Labor Day Tues, Wed, Thurs noon-3pm Or by appointment This ad donated
126 W. Third St., Port Clinton 419-732-2237
follow us on Facebook
24 |LeisureLiving Spring 2016
www.LeisureLivingMagazine.com