Appeals court rules Ohio can ban foreign nationals from donating to ballot campaigns

A federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled that Ohio could ban foreign nationals and green card holders from donating to ballot campaigns in a 2-1 decision. 

Ohio enacted a law earlier this year that banned foreign nationals from donating to state ballot issue campaigns, including before the measures secured their place on the ballot.

The law was amended in the state House before passage to include a ban on contributions from green card residents. 

The statute allows Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to investigate complaints instead of the state election commission, which reviews other election complaints. 

A federal judge in September blocked the enforcement of the law, arguing that it violated the First Amendment.

On Tuesday, the majority ruled that First Amendment rights were not violated with this law.

"If the goal is to prevent foreign influence, extending the ban to all non-citizens (including lawful permanent residents) is the most effective means of advancing that goal," Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amul Thapar wrote in the decision, according to local media.