State Issue 3 proposes to reduce campaign contribution limits, ban corporate contributions and require full disclosure of all political contributions.

The proposal limits individual contributions to statewide candidates to $2,000 and to state legislative candidates to $1,000, down from $10,000 each under existing law. The amendment establishes different types of political action committees that in most cases face the same limits as individuals. One exception would be labor union PACs. Most labor unions – and a few other organizations – would qualify as “small donor action committees,” which have limits of $20,000 to statewide candidates and $10,000 to state legislative candidates. In defining “small donor action committees,” the amendment allows labor unions to use member dues for political contributions.

(Ohio law requires the Secretary of State to gather arguments for each state issue from proponents and arguments against from opponents. Excerpts from these arguments on Issue 3 follow.)

AGAINST

Vote No on Issue 3 for the following reasons.

• The proposed amendment would change how Ohio political campaigns are funded to benefit the wealthy and labor unions, to the disadvantage of all other Ohioans.
   
• The proposed amendment allows labor unions to funnel unlimited amounts of money into the political process through a new type of political organization that is deceptively labeled a “small donor” action committee. In addition, there would be no obligation placed on labor unions to provide full disclosure regarding the source of this money, which could even be given people outside Ohio.
   
• The proposed amendment would give an unfair advantage to wealthy candidates because they would be permitted to use unlimited amounts of personal money in their campaigns. However, unlike Ohio’s current law, the proposed amendment would not permit an individual running against a wealthy opponent to raise additional campaign dollars to make the election fair and competitive.
   
• The proposed amendment would also place drastic restrictions on the ability of all other Ohioans to raise money to combat the undue influence of the wealthy and labor unions in Ohio elections. These restrictions are designed to silence the voices of ordinary Ohioans in the elections process.

Vote YES to restore confidence, level the playing field and reduce the influence of big money contributors in politics by significantly limiting campaign contributions to statewide and state legislative candidates and political parties.

Ohio’s state government has become mired in scandal. A “pay-to-play” culture - reflected in “Coingate,” undisclosed golf outings, and ongoing federal and state investigations – permeates state government. The endless drive to raise campaign money has tempted too many to cross ethical lines.

Rather than limiting the influence of big money, the General Assembly made the problem worse last year by raising individual contribution limits from $2,500 to $10,000! The legislature also lifted a ban on corporate contributions to political parties.

Issue 3 will restore reasonable contribution limits and reduce the influence of big money in government. Under this amendment, individual contributions will be limited to $2,000 per election for statewide candidates and $1,000 per election for state legislative candidates. The ban on corporate contributions to political parties will be restored.

The current influence of big money contributors in state government has corrupted government. Ohio’s sky high contribution limits only widen the gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” making it increasingly difficult for average citizens to compete in the public arena. Government stops listening to the average citizen and only hears the big money contributor.

Big money allows special interests to shape policy and exercise greater influence over legislators than the voters who elect them. One need only look to the scandals that now plague Ohio.

Return to list of state issues