Ohio Election Law and Transgender Candidates: A Contentious Issue

The Ohio election law, enacted in 1995, requires candidates for public office to disclose any name changes they have undergone in the last five years on their petition paperwork. This law has recently become a contentious issue for transgender candidates running for state office in Ohio. Several Democrats seeking election to the GOP-controlled state House this year have expressed concerns that the law is being weaponized against them due to their transgender status.

The requirement for candidates to disclose their previous names has caused issues for some transgender candidates. Arienne Childrey, a Democrat from Auglaize County, and Vanessa Joy, a real estate photographer from Stark County, have both been disqualified from the ballot for failing to disclose their legal name changes. Childrey is challenging Rep. Angie King, a Republican lawmaker who sponsored bills that segregate school bathrooms by sex and ban transgender medical procedures for minors. Joy intends to file a lawsuit challenging the law with the support of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus and the Ohio Democratic Party Pride Caucus.

The candidates argue that they would have followed the name-change notification requirement had they known about it. Childrey stated, “I would have filled out whatever was necessary, because at the end of the day, while it would have been a hit to my pride, there is something much more important than my pride, and that’s fighting for this community.” Joy also expressed her agreement with the spirit of the law, stating, “The law was designed to keep bad players from changing their names and running for office on the grounds of fooling voters.”

However, some argue that the law is not being applied fairly. Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose has stated that his office is open to putting the rule on the candidate guide but is not open to tweaking the law. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has called for the name-change notification law to be amended so that transgender candidates are not disqualified from the ballot for refusing to provide their previous names.

The debate over this issue highlights the complexities of election laws and the potential impact they can have on marginalized communities. While some argue that the law is necessary to ensure transparency and prevent fraud, others see it as a discriminatory policy that unfairly targets transgender candidates. The issue is likely to continue to be a topic of debate and controversy in the coming months.

In conclusion, the Ohio election law requiring candidates to disclose name changes in the last five years has become a contentious issue for transgender candidates running for state office in Ohio. Several Democrats have expressed concerns that the law is being weaponized against them due to their transgender status, and some have been disqualified from the ballot for failing to disclose their legal name changes. The debate over this issue highlights the complexities of election laws and the potential impact they can have on marginalized communities. While some argue that the law is necessary to ensure transparency and prevent fraud, others see it as a discriminatory policy that unfairly targets transgender candidates. The issue is likely to continue to be a topic of debate and controversy in the coming months.