Ohio's Unpaid Campaign Fines: A New Push for Accountability

Ohio is facing a significant issue with unpaid campaign fines, totaling around $100 million. The state's Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, is determined to address this problem.

A New Priority

LaRose has made this issue a top priority. He discussed it at the first meeting of the new Ohio Election Integrity Commission, which is now part of the Secretary of State's Office. This change was advocated for by LaRose during last year's budget discussions.

Mixed Reactions

Support

Retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O'Donnell, the new chairperson, sees this as a major step forward.
He believes it will benefit the state and its citizens.

Opposition

Democrats are against this move.
They argue that the old commission was independent.
They worry that the new structure gives too much power to one person.

Increased Powers

The new commission has more authority than before. It can now:

Recommend fines
Suggest criminal charges for issues like ballot fraud and double voting

LaRose believes this will help ensure accountability for those who break election laws.

Challenges Ahead

LaRose acknowledges that not all fines can be collected:

Some groups no longer exist
Some individuals have passed away

He aims to identify which debts are uncollectable and write them off.

Implications

This issue highlights Ohio's commitment to election integrity and accountability. However, it also raises questions about power and fairness in the political system.