The Partnership for Ohio’s Future (the Partnership) was formed in 2006 for the purpose of encouraging public policy that will lead to greater opportunities and a higher quality of life for Ohio citizens. The Partnership will encourage the public to learn about issues and elections that impact Ohio’s economy including the importance of a fair, balanced and impartial judiciary.

The Partnership will function similarly to the issue advocacy organization called Citizens for a Strong Ohio (CSO). In 2000, 2002 and 2004, CSO engaged in extensive media campaigns to educate Ohio voters about the role of the Supreme Court and the importance of its decisions on Ohio’s economy. The educational effort also provided information about the background and characteristics of individuals seeking seats on the Court.

In 2002 CSO conducted a statewide voter participation radio campaign that urged Ohioans to register to vote and to become educated participants in the electoral process. Building on past educational campaigns, in the fall of 2005, CSO launched a statewide radio campaign to educate the public about Issue 3 on the general election ballot; a constitutional amendment that proposed harmful changes to Ohio’s campaign finance laws. The issue was soundly defeated.

The Partnership will be a 501(c)(4) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. It is a permanent, continuing association with the primary purpose of educating Ohioans, not supporting or opposing a particular candidate or candidates. To achieve its purpose, the Partnership engages in “issue advocacy”, some or all of which may constitute “electioneering communication” as defined under Sec. 3517.1011 of Ohio’s new campaign finance law, effective on March 30, 2005.

“Issue advocacy” is public advertising on political issues or concepts that does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of a candidate. It is protected by the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech. However, it can be regulated in very narrow circumstances. Specifically, when an issue advertisement mentions or depicts a particular candidate within a limited period of time before an election it can be regulated as an “electioneering communication”.

In Ohio law “electioneering communication” is defined as “…broadcast, cable or satellite communication that refers to a clearly identified candidate” and is aired during a period of time that begins with the primary election and ends 30 days before the general election. When the Partnership engages in “electioneering communications” it may legally use corporate money, however it must maintain a “separate segregated account” for contributions that are directly used to pay for airing such communications.

Prior to the first contract for “electioneering communications”, the Partnership must file a notice with the Secretary of State indicating its intent to make disbursements for such communications. Once the notice is filed, weekly disclosures of its disbursement activities are required and the Partnership must reveal the identity of all its contributors whose funds were used to make the disbursements.

The Partnership can be fined if it fails to comply with applicable campaign finance laws. However, Ohio law does not impose any penalty on contributors to electioneering organizations and/or accounts. Nor are contributors required to report their donation to the Secretary of State.

The Partnership can accept corporate money. However, contributors are advised that their donations are not deductible as charitable contributions. Donations to the Partnership may be deductible as a business expense. All contributions used by the Partnership to fund “electioneering communications” will be reported to the Ohio Secretary of State. A detailed legal memorandum discussing Ohio’s campaign finance laws is available upon request. For additional information about the Partnership and its activities, contact Linda Woggon, Vice President, at 614-228-4201 or by e-mail at lwoggon@ohiochamber.com.