Ohio Launches New Task Force to Tackle Campaign Finance and Election Fraud | PRIMENEWSNOW

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A fresh entity is set to oversee campaign finance investigations in Ohio, commencing its duties on January 1.

Named the Ohio Election Integrity Commission, this body was established through the state budget to succeed the longstanding Ohio Elections Commission.

Republicans spearheaded this transition, criticizing the previous commission for its sluggishness and inefficiency.

For instance, Secretary of State Frank LaRose pointed out in May that the commission had neglected to collect nearly $100 million in penalties, “sending a terrible message that you can break the law and get away with it.”

Democrats resisted the change.

They cautioned that dissolving an independent commission and transferring its responsibilities to a partisan office could undermine impartial oversight of Ohio’s campaign finance regulations.

Transition to a New Oversight Body

The former Ohio Elections Commission comprised seven members, with the governor appointing three Republicans and three Democrats, who then selected an independent member.

From January 1, these responsibilities will be assumed by the new, five-member Ohio Election Integrity Commission.

The Secretary of State will appoint the chair, while the four legislative leaders – two from each party – will appoint the other members.

At least three members must be lawyers, and all must have legal or electoral experience.

Democrats express concern that the new structure grants excessive power to the Secretary of State, as the chair, appointed by the secretary, could cast the deciding vote in case of a tie.

Enhanced Election Oversight Tools

Previously, the commission could impose fines and refer cases to prosecutors but lacked control over fine collection or charge filing.

“The commission has become an increasingly toothless and inconsistent shell of what it was intended to be,” LaRose remarked in May 2025.

This was partly due to a 2014 U.S. Supreme Court decision that invalidated Ohio’s “false statements” law, limiting the commission’s role in regulating campaign speech.

Rep. Brian Stewart, a Republican from Ashville, noted during budget discussions that the commissioners had ample time to adapt but failed to do so.

The new commission will directly recommend fines and criminal referrals to the Secretary of State, addressing offenses like ballot harvesting, petition fraud, double voting, and voter registration fraud.

Commission Appointments

LaRose appointed retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O’Donnell to serve as interim chair of the new commission starting in January.

O’Donnell will lead for the first 90 days, after which LaRose plans to appoint D. Michael Crites as chair.

Crites will assume the role in March, following the enactment of Senate Bill 293, which removes restrictions on serving on multiple boards or commissions.

Crites, a former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and a Navy veteran, previously chaired the Ohio Elections Commission.

Democrats appointed John Lyall and Eben “Sandy” McNair IV to the new commission.

House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, from Cincinnati, selected Lyall, the former president of AFSCME Ohio Council 8, who was serving on the old commission with a term extending to 2026.

Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, from Cleveland, chose McNair.

Antonio emphasized McNair’s “decades of expertise in election law” as vital for building trust in Ohio’s elections. McNair is a former member of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and practices law in both state and federal courts.

Republican Senate President Rob McColley, from Henry County, appointed attorney Karl Kerschner, who served on the previous board.

Kerschner is the chief legal officer for Roppe Corp. and a board member for Reineke Family Dealerships.

Republican House Speaker Matt Huffman, from Lima, selected Matthew Brown.

As a statehouse reporter for Cleveland.com, I cover Ohio politics extensively, focusing on elections, marijuana policy, social issues, budgets, redistricting, public pensions, and immigration in Ohio.