Episode 32 - Vanessa was DISQUALIFIED from the Ohio ballot! Was it discrimination?

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Welcome back!

Vanessa found herself in the news suddenly, as her candidacy was DISQUALIFIED by the Stark County, Ohio Board of Elections due to an oft-overlooked law requiring candidates who have change their names within the past 5 years to include their former (in Vanessa's case, her deadname) on petitions.

HOWEVER... the 2024 Candidate guide fails to mention this law, as do the petition forms that candidates circulate (they don't even have a place to put an additional name!)

Other trans candidates were certified in other counties; Vanessa was the only one disqualified. The Boards of Elections

Erica and Zach interview Vanessa about her experiences, as well as her plans.

UPDATE: Vanessa has submitted her contestation of her disqualification to the Board of Elections.

Links!

Ohio Revised Code 3513.271:

https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3513.271

WEWS TV interview:

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/politics/ohio-politics/ohio-transgender-candidate-disqualified-for-only-including-legal-name-not-former-name-on-petitions

Plain Dealer article (you can get a free 7 day subscription):

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/01/several-transgender-ohioans-filed-to-run-for-state-legislature-a-little-known-law-may-keep-some-off-the-ballot.html

Erin Reed's article:

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/transgender-candidate-removed-from

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