Effective: October 17, 2019
Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly
(A) Upon the filing of a complaint with the Ohio elections commission, which shall be made by affidavit of any person, on personal knowledge, and subject to the penalties for perjury, or upon the filing of a complaint made by the secretary of state or an official at the board of elections, setting forth a failure to comply with or a violation of any provision in sections 3517.08 to 3517.13, 3517.20 to 3517.22, 3599.03, or 3599.031 of the Revised Code, the commission shall proceed in accordance with sections 3517.154 to 3517.157 of the Revised Code.
(B) The commission shall prescribe the form for complaints made under division (A) of this section. The secretary of state and boards of elections shall furnish the information that the commission requests. The commission or a member of the commission may administer oaths, and the commission may issue subpoenas to any person in the state compelling the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books, accounts, and reports. Section 101.42 of the Revised Code governs the issuance of subpoenas insofar as applicable. Upon the refusal of any person to obey a subpoena or to be sworn or to answer as a witness, the commission may apply to the court of common pleas of Franklin county under section 2705.03 of the Revised Code. The court shall hold proceedings in accordance with Chapter 2705. of the Revised Code.
(C) No prosecution shall commence for a violation of a provision in sections 3517.08 to 3517.13, 3517.17, 3517.18, 3517.20 to 3517.22, 3599.03, or 3599.031 of the Revised Code unless a complaint has been filed with the commission under this section and all proceedings of the commission or a panel of the commission, as appropriate, under sections 3517.154 to 3517.157 of the Revised Code are completed.
(D) The commission may recommend legislation and render advisory opinions concerning sections 3517.08, 3517.082, 3517.092, 3517.102, 3517.105, 3517.1014, 3517.13, 3517.20 to 3517.22, 3599.03, and 3599.031 of the Revised Code for persons over whose acts it has or may have jurisdiction. When the commission renders an advisory opinion relating to a specific set of circumstances involving any of those sections stating that there is no violation of a provision in those sections, the person to whom the opinion is directed or a person who is similarly situated may reasonably rely on the opinion and is immune from criminal prosecution and a civil action, including, without limitation, a civil action for removal from public office or employment, based on facts and circumstances covered by the opinion.
(E) The commission shall establish a web site on which it shall post, at a minimum, all decisions and advisory opinions issued by the commission and copies of each election law as it is amended by the general assembly. The commission shall update the web site regularly to reflect any changes to those decisions and advisory opinions and any new decisions and advisory opinions.
Structure Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 3517 | Campaigns; Political Parties
Section 3517.01 | Political Party Definitions.
Section 3517.011 | Petition Form.
Section 3517.012 | Party Comes Into Legal Existence on Date of Filing.
Section 3517.016 | New Party Primary Vote Not Barred by Prior Party Affiliation.
Section 3517.02 | Controlling Committees of Major or Intermediate Political Party.
Section 3517.03 | Controlling Committees of Major or Intermediate Political Party Membership.
Section 3517.04 | Organization of State Central Committees.
Section 3517.07 | Parties or Groups Advocating Overthrow of Government by Force or Violence.
Section 3517.081 | Campaign Committee, Treasurer.
Section 3517.082 | Political Action Committee - Separate Segregated Fund.
Section 3517.09 | Coercing Political Contributions.
Section 3517.091 | Door-to-Door Solicitations for Political Contributions.
Section 3517.10 | Statements of Campaign Contributions and Expenditures.
Section 3517.101 | Gift to Pay for Office Facilities.
Section 3517.102 | Dollar Limits on Campaign Contributions.
Section 3517.103 | Deposit of Personal Funds in Candidate's Own Campaign Fund.
Section 3517.104 | Contribution Limitations Adjustments.
Section 3517.105 | Identification of Source of Political Advertising.
Section 3517.106 | Statements of Contributions and Expenditures Computerized by Secretary of State.
Section 3517.107 | Federal Political Committee Registration.
Section 3517.108 | Additional Contributions for Unpaid Debt.
Section 3517.109 | Disposal of Any Excess Funds and Excess Aggregate Contributions.
Section 3517.1011 | Notices and Disclosures Regarding Electioneering Communications.
Section 3517.1012 | Political Parties to Establish Restricted Funds - Deposits and Disbursements.
Section 3517.1014 | Transition Funds.
Section 3517.1015 | Disclosure of Contributions.
Section 3517.11 | Requirement of Filing Statement.
Section 3517.12 | Itemized Statement of Expenditures on Issues.
Section 3517.13 | Failure to File Statements.
Section 3517.14 | Ohio Elections Commission - Prior to 1996.
Section 3517.151 | Filing Complaints for Acts Occurring Before July 13, 1998.
Section 3517.152 | Ohio Elections Commission.
Section 3517.153 | Filing Complaint.
Section 3517.154 | Review of Complaint.
Section 3517.155 | Hearing on Complaint.
Section 3517.156 | Probable Cause Hearing.
Section 3517.157 | Time Limit for Complaint.
Section 3517.19 | Sale of Membership and Mailing Lists.
Section 3517.20 | Political Communications; Identification of Source.
Section 3517.22 | Infiltration of Campaign - False Statements in Campaign Materials - Issues.
Section 3517.23 | Rules for Administration of Campaign Finance and Advertising.
Section 3517.991 | Fine Schedule for Violations Before 8-24-95.
Section 3517.992 | Penalties for Violations on or After 8-24-95.
Section 3517.993 | Fine Schedule for Violations After 8-24-95.