Senate President Huffman Announces Passage of Bill Increasing Transparency in Court Races
April 21, 2021
Matt Huffman News
COLUMBUS—Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) today announced the passage of Senate Bill 80, which would increase transparency and encourage voter participation in judicial elections by requiring party affiliation to be listed on a general election ballot.
Under current Ohio law, judicial candidates' party affiliation is listed on a partisan primary ballot, but not designated on the general ballot. This can lead to unnecessary confusion when voters are making their selection at the polls. "We are the only state in the union who operates in this way," said President Huffman. "This legislation will ensure greater transparency for the Ohio voter. The more people know about a candidate, the more likely they will exercise their right to vote down ticket."
In the 2018 election, this resulted in nearly a million more Ohioans casting votes for the governor, and other statewide offices, than for Ohio Supreme Court justices in both Supreme Court races.
The legislation, sponsored by State Senators Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) and Jerry C. Cirino (R-Kirtland), applies to judicial candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court and Appellate Courts. "Senate Bill 80 will give voters more information and result in significantly higher voter participation,” said Gavarone.
"Voters should have confidence that the judicial candidate they vote for aligns with their core values and beliefs," added Cirino.
For more information on Senate Bill 80, click here.
Under current Ohio law, judicial candidates' party affiliation is listed on a partisan primary ballot, but not designated on the general ballot. This can lead to unnecessary confusion when voters are making their selection at the polls. "We are the only state in the union who operates in this way," said President Huffman. "This legislation will ensure greater transparency for the Ohio voter. The more people know about a candidate, the more likely they will exercise their right to vote down ticket."
In the 2018 election, this resulted in nearly a million more Ohioans casting votes for the governor, and other statewide offices, than for Ohio Supreme Court justices in both Supreme Court races.
The legislation, sponsored by State Senators Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) and Jerry C. Cirino (R-Kirtland), applies to judicial candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court and Appellate Courts. "Senate Bill 80 will give voters more information and result in significantly higher voter participation,” said Gavarone.
"Voters should have confidence that the judicial candidate they vote for aligns with their core values and beliefs," added Cirino.
For more information on Senate Bill 80, click here.