He says if they can join the U.S. military, permanent non-residents can donate to political campaigns.
U.S. District Judge Judge Michael Watson blocked an Ohio law that sought to ban permanent non-citizen residents from contributing financially to state ballot campaigns. The law would make any permanent noncitizen found contributing financially to a political campaign, including legal green card holders, subject to investigation, criminal prosecution, and mandatory fines.
The law, which Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the measure into law in June, was set to go into effect the day after the ruling was made by Judge Watson. Judge Watson called it “absurd” that lawful permanent residents could be subject to selective service in the U.S. military but not allowed to donate to political campaigns.
Judge Watson wrote, “If the U.S. Federal Government trusts (such residents) to put U.S. interests first in the military (of all places), how could this Court hold that it does not trust them to promote U.S. interests in their political spending? It cannot.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For discernment for district court judges as they hear challenges to state and federal election laws and regulations.
- For state governors and legislators as they seek to ensure election integrity.
Sources: AP News, MSN
