Overview

• Transgender legislative candidates in Ohio are facing challenges due to a state law requiring them to list any prior names used within the past five years on campaign paperwork, a requirement not listed in the candidate requirement guide.
• Democrats Arienne Childrey and Bobbie Arnold have been allowed to stay on the primary ballot despite not listing their 'deadnames', while Vanessa Joy was disqualified for violating the rule.
• Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose stated that while his office is open to including the rule in the candidate guide, they are not open to changing the law.
• Republican Governor Mike DeWine has called for the law to be amended so that transgender candidates are not disqualified for refusing to provide their previous names.
• Vanessa Joy, who was disqualified, plans to file a lawsuit challenging the law with the support of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus and the Ohio Democratic Party Pride Caucus.