Transgender woman is disqualified from Ohio House race for not using her former name

For not listing her prior name as a recent name change. She can use the name she wants.

The law makes sense. If someone is a convicted felon, changes their name to avoid the inevitable Google searches, and decides to run for office, that former name absolutely should be disclosed.

What's weird here is the limit of "past 5 years" and "excluding marriage."

So totally cool for a felon to change their name MORE than 5 years ago, or, simply get married, no disclosure required.

So what even is the purpose of the law?

Ohio law requires people running for political office who have changed their name within the last five years to include their former names on candidacy petitions.

That's not entirely unreasonable, but It seems like that's the sort of thing they should make clear in the paperwork when you file a candidacy petition. "Have you legally changed your name in the last 5 years for any reason other than marriage?"

Let's call this what it is: erecting a humiliating barrier in front of someone to prevent them from running for office

I'm not disputing the rules, they just seem so damn archaic at this point. The digital era made a lot of this redundant. Got my social? The government knows who I am. Got my current ID? The government knows who I am.

Meanwhile Ted Cruz, Nikki Haley...

Isn’t listing your former legal names kind of common for just about anything government related? If she got married and took her spouse’s last name she’s be in the same boat. No?

Also, is there no way to rectify a stupid clerical error?

I'd be in favor of an exception for trans people transitioning just like there's an exception for people who just got married but it sounds like the real problem is nobody told her the requirements.

US Republicans are fascist domestic terrorists, what else is new.

It's a good thing Nimarata doesn't live in Ohio amirite!

If you want to run for office, its your duty to understand what you are required to file. Find a lawyer who specializes in this, perhaps, or work with your local party office? Not the greatest initial performance for someone looking to serve in office.

Another victory for the followers of Jesus

Ignorance of the law doesn't give you freedom from the law. Too bad, so sad. Try again next time.