A second transgender candidate running for a seat in the Republican-majority Ohio House is at risk of being disqualified from the ballot after omitting her former name on circulating petitions.
The Mercer County Board of Elections is set to vote Thursday on whether Arienne Childrey, a Democrat from Auglaize County and one of four transgender individuals campaigning for the Legislature, is eligible to run after not disclosing her previous name, also known as her deadname, on her petition paperwork.
A little-used Ohio elections law, unfamiliar even to many state elections officials, mandates that candidates disclose any name changes in the last five years on their petitions paperwork, with exemptions for name changes due to marriage. But the law isn’t listed in the 33-page candidate requirement guide and there is no space on the petition paperwork to list any former names.
The fact nobody knew about the law,
Explained by the fact that most people just keep using the same names.
it’s not mentioned during registration
Also explained by the fact that most people just keep using the same names.
there is no place for other names on the form
Since it almost never applies, nobody noticed this.
and it’s only been used to exclude trans candidates.
That’s not true.
Do you understand the words you’re using?
I do, but I’m convinced you don’t.
