Small-scale electrohydrodynamic flows were investigated in a configuration where the motive force derives from charge generated in an electrolyte composition gradient. Using a thin Hele-Shaw cell filled with aqueous electrolyte, we studied flow through a disc-shaped bolus whose conductivity differed from that of the surrounding solution. When an ac electric field was applied, a thin layer of free charge arose from differences in conductivity between the bolus and its surroundings. The action of the field on the charge produced bulk flow, and since material interfaces were absent, the bolus deformed continuously. Deformations were prolate or oblate, depending on the conductivity of the bolus relative to the surrounding electrolyte. Modeling the flow with the Hele-Shaw formalism showed how electrical forces produce motion. To indicate the sense of the deformation-prolate or oblate with respect to the applied field-a discriminating function was derived. The discriminating function reduces to the Taylor-Melcher leaky dielectric model under the appropriate limiting conditions. Experiment and theory are in good agreement. The flows described here occur in the absence of rigid interfaces and equilibrium charge layers. Accordingly, they offer a means of controlling microfluidic flow and mixing.