A transgender woman running for an Ohio House seat was disqualified for not using a birth name in election filings.
The only Democratic candidate running for the seat in Ohio’s 50th region was Vanessa Joy, a biological male who self-identifies as female. The petition was in violation of a 1995 vote law because it only used Joy’s novel first and last names, which changed from those given at birth while also being adopted within the last five years, despite the fact that her campaign had received enough signatures.
Title shifts older than ten years old are exempt from this law. A recent name change does not, however, render one unsuitable.
“The main problem is that the 2024 Prospect Guide DOES NOT have any details about this necessity listed.” “That law is unwittingly discriminatory to Trans people,” Joy mentioned the rules in an Instagram post on Thursday. “Neither do the petitions themselves.”
Since then, Joy has appealed the rejection to the Stark County Board of Elections. A plan, according to the candidate, was launched “to tear the Republican supermajority that has a grip on human rights in my state.”
The appeal reads, “While I am aware that the law’s spirit was not meant to be unfair, it is nonetheless a barrier for the LGBTQIA2S+ community at large.” “So, I believe that even though I was disqualified in accordance with the law, it was unfair.”
Since 2018, Rep. Reggie Stoltzfus, a Republican, has served as the district’s 50th city representative in Ohio. Stoltzfus ran unopposed in 2020, and now that Joy is no longer a participant, Matthew Kishman will do the same.
At least three additional trans people are vying for office in the Ohio state. Republican towns are also being run by Bobbie Arnold, Arienne Childrey, and Ari Faber.
