Ohio Board Upholds Disqualification of Trans Candidate Over Name Omission
In a controversial decision, the Stark County Board of Elections in Ohio has refused to reconsider the disqualification of transgender state House candidate Vanessa Joy.
The board stands by its initial ruling, stating that Joy failed to include her former name, known as a “deadname,” on the petitions used to gather signatures for her candidacy. This decision comes despite other transgender candidates being allowed to run.
The specific state law in question mandates that candidates disclose any name changes from the past five years on their petitions, with exceptions for changes resulting from marriage.
The law aims to identify any potential fraudulent activity but has been largely unknown to many elections officials, not even listed in the 33-page candidate requirement guide.
Notably, there is no designated space on the petitions for candidates to list their former names.
Vanessa Joy, a real estate photographer from Massillon, expressed frustration with the board’s decision, effectively ending her campaign.
She is now collaborating with an attorney to advocate for changes to the law, making it more inclusive of transgender candidates who may have valid reasons for not disclosing their previous names, such as concerns for personal safety.
The county board acknowledged Joy’s argument that the requirement was absent from the campaign guide but emphasized that its decision must align with the existing law. Joy, while out of the race, remains committed to advocating for change, stating, “I’m out of the race, but I’m not out of the fight.”
All four transgender candidates for the Legislature this year have faced challenges related to the name-change law.
Democratic candidates Bobbie Arnold and Arienne Childrey were recently cleared to run by their respective boards of elections. However, the threat of disqualification looms if the law remains unchanged by November.
The Republican Governor, Mike DeWine, has expressed support for amending the law, stating that transgender candidates should not be disqualified on these grounds.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose plans to include the law in the candidate guide but remains firm on the principle that public officeholders must maintain transparency with voters, resisting any adjustments to the law.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The AP News
