Ohio: Another Transgender Candidate Disqualified Over Name

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Facts

  • Arienne Childrey, a transgender Auglaize County Democratic candidate for the Republican-majority Ohio House, could be disqualified from the ballot for not including her former name on petitions. The Mercer County Board of Elections is scheduled to vote on Childrey's eligibility Thursday.1
  • An Ohio elections law requires candidates to disclose any name changes in the past five years on their paperwork except in the case of marriage. However, there's no mention of the law in the 33-page candidate guide, nor is there a place on the petition paperwork to list former names.1
  • Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine suggested changes should be made to the law, while Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose said he wasn't in favor of making changes.2
  • Previously, Vanessa Joy, who was disqualified for using a current legal name instead of her birth name, lost an appeal to the Stark County Board of Elections.3
  • Two other transgender candidates for office — Democrats Ari Faber and Bobbie Brooke Arnold — had their paperwork approved and will be on the primary ballot in March.4

Sources: 1Associated Press, 2The Messenger, 3Ohio Capital Journal and 4FOX News.

Narratives

  • Left narrative, as provided by The Guardian. This is why these transgender candidates are running for office. It seems extreme-right politicians won't just stop at passing anti-trans legislation, they're also willing to unevenly enforce laws that are already on the books. This is just another way to block transgender people from representing their community and working to protect those who are being dangerously marginalized.
  • Right narrative, as provided by Townhall. It's vital that voters know the identity — and past identities — of candidates for office. Without that transparency, voters can't judge the candidates on their record, their experiences, and their relationships. Some of these transgender candidates have said they would have complied with the law if they knew about it. Then this isn't a case of legislation unfairly punishing transgender candidates, but of transgender candidates not doing their homework before running.

Predictions