Support Legal Battle Against Dark Money in Ohio

Join us in the fight against dark money in Ohio elections! All donations will be used to cover ongoing legal expenses in connection with Edwards v. 1Worthington, et al.

As referenced in this Opinion Piece in the Dispatch, the case was filed back in 2021. Since that time, we have endured repeated delay tactics by 1Worthington, including their most recent attempt to obtain a temporary restraining order from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Despite three years of stalling tactics, we have stayed the course.

It is the best interest of ALL citizens of Ohio that we establish the necessary caselaw - caselaw supporting that when a non-profit's primary purpose is to impact the outcome an election it is no longer just a non-profit, it is also a political action committee (PAC) and must abide by PAC guidelines of transparency. NO. DARK. MONEY. Additional details below.

OHIO ELECTIONS COMMISSION CASE No. 2012G-020

Edwards v. 1Worthington, et al

This case has the potential to be precedent setting, adding clarity to Ohio law and bringing about increased disclosure of campaign finances. The central question in the case is when does a group cross the line from being a 501c4 entity with a primary purpose of social welfare and to a political action committee with a primary purpose of influencing election results? PACs must file public disclosure reports of their contributors and expenditures. 501c4s largely are not required to do so—hence the term “dark money.”

The present case involves spending by a non-profit corporation called 1Worthington to directly promote the election of three candidates in 2021 for the Worthington Board of Education and against an incumbent running for re-election. 1Worthington has never disclosed its contributors. The Ohio Elections Commission voted to set an evidentiary hearing in this case and once the discovery process started, the attempt to seek a temporary restraining order from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas was filed. Stall tactics cost money and the discovery phase is still ahead.

Please support our efforts to establish this needed clarity in Ohio caselaw and in turn require transparency in Ohio campaign finances.