Lima Reporter

State Representative Angie King's (R-Celina) legislation aimed at expanding voter protest of a primary candidate’s declaration was presented before the House Government Oversight Committee on Tuesday. The proposed law seeks to broaden the current regulations, which only permit a registered voter of a political party to protest their party’s nomination. Under the new legislation, anyone eligible to vote in a general election would be able to lodge a protest, irrespective of their political affiliation. However, protests would be confined to issues related to a candidate’s eligibility to hold office.

The legislation further outlines specific reasons for which a voter may challenge a candidacy for political party nomination:

- The individual is not a U.S. citizen

- The individual does not meet the minimum age requirement for the office

- A candidate would exceed an applicable term or age limit

- The person has been convicted of a crime

- The candidate fails to comply with requirements or provide their former name as mandated by law

“The ability to protest a primary candidate’s ineligibility to hold office shouldn’t be partisan,” stated King. “Under HB 471, where declaration and petitions do not conform to the requirements specified by law, electors of either party can alert the Board of Elections to a possible defect in a candidate’s petition. It is disingenuous to both the candidate and voters to place a candidate on the ballot who is legally unable to serve. This simple, yet important legislation ensures voters have a meaningful choice of candidates.”

The proposed bill also includes additional sections from the Ohio Revised Code that would disqualify an individual from holding office if they fail to include their former name on their candidacy documents.

House Bill 471 now awaits further hearings in the House Government Oversight Committee.