Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/13pdf/13-193_omq2.pdf
Page Number: 4.0

2 

SUSAN B. ANTHONY LIST v. DRIEHAUS 

Opinion of the Court 

it was false or not,”  §3517.21(B)(10).1 

“[A]ny person” acting  on personal knowledge may file a
complaint  with  the  Ohio  Elections  Commission  (or  Com-
mission) alleging a violation of the false statement statute.
§3517.153(A)  (Lexis  Supp.  2014).    If  filed  within  60  days
of a primary election or 90 days of a general election, the 
complaint is referred to a panel of at least three Commis-
sion  members.    §§3517.156(A),  (B)(1)  (Lexis  2013).    The 
panel  must  then  hold  an  expedited  hearing,  generally 
within  two  business  days,  §3517.156(B)(1),  to  determine 
whether  there  is  probable  cause  to  believe  the  alleged 
violation occurred, §3517.156(C).  Upon a finding of proba-
ble cause, the full Commission must, within 10 days, hold 
a hearing on the complaint.  §3517.156(C)(2); see also Ohio
Admin. Code §3517–1–10(E) (2008).

The statute authorizes the full Commission to subpoena 
witnesses and compel production of documents.  Ohio Rev. 
Code  Ann.  §3517.153(B)  (Lexis  Supp.  2014).    At  the  full 
hearing, the parties may make opening and closing state-
ments  and  present  evidence.  Ohio  Admin.  Code  §§3517– 
1–11(B)(2)(c),  (d),  (g).  If  the  Commission  determines  by 
“clear  and  convincing  evidence”  that  a  party  has  violated 

—————— 

1 Section 3517.21(B) provides in relevant part: 
“No  person,  during  the  course  of  any  campaign  for  nomination  or
election  to  public  office  or  office  of  a  political  party,  by  means  of  cam-
paign materials, including sample ballots, an advertisement on radio or 
television  or  in  a  newspaper  or  periodical,  a  public  speech,  press  re-
lease,  or  otherwise,  shall  knowingly  and  with  intent  to  affect  the
outcome of such campaign do any of the following: 
 .

 .
“(9) Make  a false statement  concerning the voting record of a candi-

 . 

 .

.

date or public official;

“(10)  Post,  publish,  circulate,  distribute,  or  otherwise  disseminate  a
false statement concerning a candidate, either knowing the same to be
false  or  with  reckless  disregard  of  whether  it  was  false  or  not,  if  the
statement is designed to promote the election, nomination, or defeat of
the candidate.”