A divided federal appeals court ruled that Ohio can enforce a law banning foreign nationals and green card holders from donating to ballot campaigns, asserting that this does not violate First Amendment rights. The majority opinion, written by Judge Amul Thapar, emphasized Ohio's compelling interest in preventing foreign influence in elections and concluded that the law is narrowly tailored. The decision reinstates a law previously halted by a lower court, which had deemed the inclusion of lawful permanent residents overly broad. Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis dissented, stating that the law infringes on the First Amendment rights of lawful permanent residents and could complicate donations for nonprofits and unions. The law aims to regulate spending in local elections amid concerns over foreign influence, particularly in light of recent political developments in Ohio. The ruling allows Ohio to maintain control over campaign financing to mitigate perceived risks from noncitizen contributions.