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Ohio campaign finance basics

Ohio candidates for state and local office follow Ohio law, run by the Secretary of State and the county boards of elections. This page covers the basics from the Secretary of State's Campaign Finance Handbook. Running for Congress from Ohio? Use the federal guides instead.

Not legal advice. Everything here comes from the Ohio Secretary of State. Check the handbook chapter linked under each rule before you file.

Outline of Ohio

Start by naming a treasurer

In Ohio the paperwork comes before the money. File the treasurer form before your first donation or your first campaign expense, even if you are only spending your own money.

  1. Pick a treasurer. It can be you.
  2. Choose a committee name that includes at least your last name.
  3. File Form 30-D, Designation of Treasurer, with the right office (see below).
  4. Open a separate bank account for the committee and deposit every contribution there.

File Form 30-D, Designation of Treasurer, before receiving any contribution or making any expenditure. The form registers your campaign committee.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Before receiving any contribution or making any expenditure, a potential candidate must file Form 30-D, Designation of Treasurer (DOT). This form registers the campaign committee

Candidates spending only their own money still file it before campaign spending. The exception is a candidate whose only expense is the filing fee.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
candidates who spend only their own personal funds still must file a Designation of Treasurer form before making out-of-pocket expenditures related to their campaign.

Ohio law places no restrictions on who can be treasurer. The candidate can name themself.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
There are no statutory restrictions on who can be a treasurer. The candidate must either designate themself or another person as the campaign committee treasurer.

A candidate may have only one campaign committee, and its name must include at least the candidate's last name.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
A candidate may have only one campaign committee, no matter how many state and local offices held or sought by that candidate.

The committee needs its own bank account, separate from the candidate's personal or business accounts.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
A campaign committee must establish a bank account that is separate from a personal or business account of the candidate

Where to file

Most local candidates deal with their county board of elections, not Columbus.

Statewide candidates (Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Supreme Court and State Board of Education) file with the Secretary of State.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Candidates running for Governor/Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, Auditor of State, Supreme Court Justice, or State Board of Education member will file the DOT with the Secretary of State

Everyone else files with the board of elections where they file their candidacy petitions.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Campaign committees of candidates for all other offices must file the DOT with the board of elections where their candidates are required to file the petitions

Reports must be physically received by the filing office by the deadline.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
All reports must be physically received at the Secretary of State or county board of elections office to meet the filing deadline requirement.

Contribution limits

Ohio's dollar limits apply to statewide and General Assembly races. A county or city race has no state dollar limit apart from the cash rule below, though a local charter can set one.

The current limits chart runs from February 25, 2025 through February 24, 2027.

Source: Ohio SOS, Ohio campaign contribution limits, Feb. 25, 2025 to Feb. 24, 2027 (PDF) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Ohio Campaign Contribution Limits Effective February 25, 2025 through February 24, 2027

An individual or a PAC can give up to $16,615.67 per election to the campaign committee of a statewide, Ohio Senate or Ohio House candidate.

Source: Ohio SOS, Ohio campaign contribution limits, Feb. 25, 2025 to Feb. 24, 2027 (PDF) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
STATEWIDE $16,615.67 $16,615.67 ... SENATE $16,615.67 $16,615.67 ... HOUSE $16,615.67 $16,615.67

Ohio's contribution limits do not apply to county or local candidates, except for cash and any limit in a municipal or county charter.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Ohio's contribution limits do not apply to county or local candidates, other than contributions received in cash or limited by municipal or county charter.

The Secretary of State adjusts these dollar limits in January of each odd-numbered year, based on the Consumer Price Index.

Source: Ohio Rev. Code 3517.104, Contribution limitations adjustments checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
In January of each odd-numbered year, the secretary of state, in accordance with this division and division (B) of this section, shall adjust each amount specified in section 3517.102

Judicial candidates follow limits set by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Judicial candidates must abide by contribution limits maintained by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Children under 7 may not contribute.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Individuals under the age of seven are prohibited from making any political contribution.

Cash and prohibited sources

No one, including the candidate, may give more than $100 in cash per election.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
A contributor, including the candidate, may not give more than $100 per election in cash

Corporations may not contribute to any candidate.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Corporations are prohibited from contributing to any candidate, political action committee, and certain political party funds.

Foreign nationals may not contribute to any candidate or campaign committee.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Foreign nationals are prohibited from contributing or promising to contribute to any candidate or campaign comm

Reports and the 2026 calendar

Ohio reports are due by 4 p.m. on the deadline. Which ones you file depends on whether you were on the ballot and how much moved through the account.

Pre-election report: due by 4 p.m. on the 12th day before an election if the committee received or spent $1,000 or more since its last report.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
A campaign committee must file a pre-election report by 4 p.m. on the 12th day before an election ... if it spent or received $1,000 or more

Post-election report: due by 4 p.m. on the 38th day after an election in which the candidate was on the ballot.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
A campaign committee must file a post-election report by 4 p.m. on the 38th day after the election if the candidate appeared on the ballot.

Semiannual report: due by 4 p.m. on the last business day of July, covering activity through June 30.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
A campaign committee must file a semiannual report by 4 p.m. on the last business day of July showing all activity since the last report through June 30

Annual report: due on the last business day of January, for committees that did not have to file a post-general report.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
An annual report must be filed by a campaign committee that was not required to file a post-general election report.

For the November 3, 2026 general election, the Pre-General report was due October 22, 2026. The Post-General report is due December 11, 2026 and covers activity through December 4.

Source: Ohio SOS, Campaign finance reporting calendar 2026 (PDF) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Pre-General .... October 22, 2026 to disclose activity through October 14, 2026 . Post-General .... December 11, 2026 to disclose activity through December 4, 2026

County-level filers should ask their board of elections about special election dates, which are not on the state calendar.

Source: Ohio SOS, Campaign finance reporting calendar 2026 (PDF) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Filing entities submitting reports to a county board of elections should contact the board for special election dates and filing deadlines not included on this calendar.

"Paid for by" in Ohio

A candidate committee's disclaimer is "Paid for by" followed by the committee's name, in a conspicuous place. The name should match your latest treasurer designation.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 12, Disclaimers (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
A complete disclaimer for a candidate's campaign committee includes the phrase, "Paid for by," followed by the name of the candidate's campaign committee, in a conspicuous place.

A readable disclaimer belongs on almost everything made to influence an election, electronic messages included.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 12, Disclaimers (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
A readable disclaimer must appear on almost everything that is created to influence an election, including electronic messages.

Social media posts and emails generally need one too.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 12, Disclaimers (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Social media posts and emails are generally subject to the disclaimer requirement.

Some small items are exempt; the list is in the Ohio Administrative Code at OAC 111:2-4-18.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 12, Disclaimers (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Items that are not required to include a disclaimer are found in OAC 111:2-4-18

Records

Each itemized contribution shows the contributor's name and address and the date and amount.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
The primary elements for complete disclosure of a contribution are: • The name of the contributor. • The address of the contributor. • The date of the contribution. • The amount of the contribution.

Keep records for six years: bank and deposit records, reports, amendments, correspondence, receipts, invoices and mileage logs.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 2, Candidates (revised September 2025) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Committees must maintain their records for six years.

Who enforces it

Older guides mention the Ohio Elections Commission. Its job has moved to a new body.

The Ohio Election Integrity Commission took effect on January 1, 2026. It hears alleged violations of campaign finance law.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 15, Ohio Election Integrity Commission (revised January 2026) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
The Ohio Election Integrity Commission was established in 2025 (H.B. 96, 136th GA) and became effective on January 1, 2026.

Anyone can file a complaint with the Secretary of State. Complaints are made under penalty of perjury.

Source: Ohio SOS Handbook, Ch. 15, Ohio Election Integrity Commission (revised January 2026) checked 2026-10-26

What the source says
Any person can file a complaint with the Ohio Secretary of State (Ohio SoS). Complaints to the Ohio SoS must be submitted under penalty of perjury

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