COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted announced the 2015 Adjusted Campaign Contribution Limits, which take effect Wednesday, Feb. 25.
“Whether you are a candidate, donor or other key player in the political process, it is important for all those subject to Ohio campaign finance laws to have a clear understanding of the rules,” Husted said. “As such, I encourage those impacted by the contribution limits to review and familiarize themselves with the changes to help ensure full compliance with the law going forward.”
In accordance with R.C. 3517.104, campaign contribution limits are adjusted for inflation in each odd numbered year by the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. Adjustments are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers and certified by the auditor of state.
Per the statutory formula, current contribution limits were multiplied by the 3.1 percent increase in the CPI from 2012 to 2014 and the product was then added to the existing contribution limits. The limits will remain in effect until February 2017, when the next adjustment is scheduled.
Secretary Husted also issued Advisory 2015-01, outlining an increase from $55 to $60 in fees assessed per precinct for requested recounts. Under R.C. 3515.072, the secretary of state must determine if any adjustment is required to these fees.
This is done in odd numbered years using a statutory formula based on the yearly average of the previous two years of the Consumer Price Index. This does not apply to automatic recounts and will remain in effect until February 2017.
The 2015 Adjusted Campaign Contribution Limits report contains a detailed explanation of the procedures used in adjusting the contribution limits, a breakdown of all campaign contribution limits, and a reference chart containing the adjusted contribution limits. A copy of the reference chart is available here.
