Transgender Candidate Disqualified from Ohio House Race Over Name Change Law

Vanessa Joy, unaware of a little-known law requiring her to include her former name on her candidate petition, has appealed her disqualification and is seeking to challenge the law.

Transgender candidate Vanessa Joy has been disqualified from an Ohio House race due to a little-known state law requiring her to include her former name on her candidate petition.
Joy, who legally changed her name and birth certificate in 2022, was unaware of this requirement as it is not listed on the Ohio Secretary of State’s candidate requirement guidelines.
The law, which is seen as a barrier for transgender people who do not wish to share their former names, has raised concerns about potential similar issues for other transgender candidates nationwide.
Joy was one of four transgender candidates running for state office in Ohio, largely in response to proposed restrictions on the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
Joy has appealed her disqualification and is seeking legal representation to challenge the law.