Chapter 3513 | Primaries; Nominations

Section 3513.01 | Primary elections.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 3517.012 of the Revised Code, primary elections shall be held as provided in division (E) of section 3501.01 of the Revised Code for the purpose of nominating persons as candidates of political parties for election to offices to be voted for at the succeeding general election.

(B) The manner of nominating persons as candidates for election as officers of a municipal corporation having a population of two thousand or more, as ascertained by the most recent federal census, shall be the same as the manner in which candidates were nominated for election as officers in the municipal corporation in 1989 unless the manner of nominating such candidates is changed under division (C), (D), or (E) of this section.

(C) Primary elections shall not be held for the nomination of candidates for election as officers of any township, or any municipal corporation having a population of less than two thousand, unless a majority of the electors of any such township or municipal corporation, as determined by the total number of votes cast in such township or municipal corporation for the office of governor at the most recent regular state election, files with the board of elections of the county within which such township or municipal corporation is located, or within which the major portion of the population thereof is located, if the municipal corporation is situated in more than one county, not later than one hundred twenty days before the day of a primary election, a petition signed by such electors asking that candidates for election as officers of such township or municipal corporation be nominated as candidates of political parties, in which event primary elections shall be held in such township or municipal corporation for the purpose of nominating persons as candidates of political parties for election as officers of such township or municipal corporation to be voted for at the succeeding regular municipal election. In a township or municipal corporation where a majority of the electors have filed a petition asking that candidates for election as officers of the township or municipal corporation be nominated as candidates of political parties, the nomination of candidates for a nonpartisan election may be reestablished in the manner prescribed in division (E) of this section.

(D)(1) The electors in a municipal corporation having a population of two thousand or more, in which municipal officers were nominated in the most recent election by nominating petition and elected by nonpartisan election, may place on the ballot in the manner prescribed in division (D)(2) of this section the question of changing to the primary-election method of nominating persons as candidates for election as officers of the municipal corporation.

(2) The board of elections of the county within which the municipal corporation is located, or, if the municipal corporation is located in more than one county, of the county within which the major portion of the population of the municipal corporation is located, shall, upon receipt of a petition signed by electors of the municipal corporation equal in number to at least ten per cent of the vote cast at the most recent regular municipal election, submit to the electors of the municipal corporation the question of changing to the primary-election method of nominating persons as candidates for election as officers of the municipal corporation. The ballot language shall be substantially as follows:

"Shall candidates for election as officers of ____________ (name of municipal corporation) in the county of ____________ (name of county) be nominated as candidates of political parties?

________ yes

________ no"

The question shall be placed on the ballot at the next general election in an even-numbered year occurring at least ninety days after the petition is filed with the board. If a majority of the electors voting on the question vote in the affirmative, candidates for election as officers of the municipal corporation shall thereafter be nominated as candidates of political parties in primary elections, under division (A) of this section, unless a change in the manner of nominating persons as candidates for election as officers of the municipal corporation is made under division (E) of this section.

(E)(1) The electors in a township or municipal corporation in which the township or municipal officers are nominated as candidates of political parties in a primary election may place on the ballot, in the manner prescribed in division (E)(2) of this section, the question of changing to the nonpartisan method of nominating persons as candidates for election as officers of the township or municipal corporation.

(2) The board of elections of the county within which the township or municipal corporation is located, or, if the municipal corporation is located in more than one county, of the county within which the major portion of the population of the municipal corporation is located, shall, upon receipt of a petition signed by electors of the township or municipal corporation equal in number to at least ten per cent of the vote cast at the most recent regular township or municipal election, as appropriate, submit to the electors of the township or municipal corporation, as appropriate, the question of changing to the nonpartisan method of nominating persons as candidates for election as officers of the township or municipal corporation. The ballot language shall be substantially as follows:

"Shall candidates for election as officers of ____________ (name of the township or municipal corporation) in the county of ____________ (name of county) be nominated as candidates by nominating petition and be elected only in a nonpartisan election?

________ yes

________ no"

The question shall appear on the ballot at the next general election in an even-numbered year occurring at least ninety days after the petition is filed with the board. If a majority of electors voting on the question vote in the affirmative, candidates for officer of the township or municipal corporation shall thereafter be nominated by nominating petition and be elected only in a nonpartisan election, unless a change in the manner of nominating persons as candidates for election as officers of the township or municipal corporation is made under division (C) or (D) of this section.

Section 3513.02 | Certificate of nomination when no primary necessary.

• Effective: August 15, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 295 - 129th General Assembly

If, in any odd-numbered year, no valid declaration of candidacy is filed for nomination as a candidate of a political party for election to any of the offices to be voted for at the general election to be held in such year, or if the number of persons filing such declarations of candidacy for nominations as candidates of one political party for election to such offices does not exceed, as to any such office, the number of candidates which such political party is entitled to nominate as its candidates for election to such office, then no primary election shall be held for the purpose of nominating party candidates of such party for election to offices to be voted for at such general election and no primary ballots shall be provided for such party. If, however, the only office for which there are more valid declarations of candidacy filed than the number to be nominated by a political party, is the office of councilperson in a ward, a primary election shall be held for such party only in the ward or wards in which there is a contest, and only the names of the candidates for the office of councilperson in such ward shall appear on the primary ballot of such political party.

The election officials whose duty it would have been to provide for and conduct the holding of such primary election, declare the results thereof, and issue certificates of nomination to the persons entitled thereto if such primary election had been held shall declare each of such persons to be nominated as of the date of the ninetieth day before the primary election, issue appropriate certificates of nomination to each of them, and certify their names to the proper election officials, in order that their names may be printed on the official ballots provided for use in the succeeding general election in the same manner as though such primary election had been held and such persons had been nominated at such election.

Section 3513.03 | Election officials for primary elections.

• Effective: March 23, 1981
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1062 - 113th General Assembly

The board of elections shall have all the powers and perform all the duties in connection with primary elections which are imposed by the provisions of Title XXXV of the Revised Code governing general elections. The election officials for primary elections shall be designated from those appointed under section 3501.22 of the Revised Code, and shall have the same powers, perform the same duties, and be subject to the same penalties as are provided by such title for the conduct of general elections.

Section 3513.04 | Filing declaration of candidacy.

• Effective: February 5, 2014
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 193 - 130th General Assembly

Candidates for party nominations to state, district, county, and municipal offices or positions, for which party nominations are provided by law, and for election as members of party controlling committees shall have their names printed on the official primary ballot by filing a declaration of candidacy and paying the fees specified for the office under divisions (A) and (B) of section 3513.10 of the Revised Code, except that the joint candidates for party nomination to the offices of governor and lieutenant governor shall, for the two of them, file one declaration of candidacy. The joint candidates also shall pay the fees specified for the joint candidates under divisions (A) and (B) of section 3513.10 of the Revised Code.

The secretary of state shall not accept for filing the declaration of candidacy of a candidate for party nomination to the office of governor unless the declaration of candidacy also shows a joint candidate for the same party's nomination to the office of lieutenant governor, shall not accept for filing the declaration of candidacy of a candidate for party nomination to the office of lieutenant governor unless the declaration of candidacy also shows a joint candidate for the same party's nomination to the office of governor, and shall not accept for filing a declaration of candidacy that shows a candidate for party nomination to the office of governor or lieutenant governor who, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or has become a candidate by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code for any other state office or any federal or county office.

No person who seeks party nomination for an office or position at a primary election by declaration of candidacy or by declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate and no person who is a first choice for president of candidates seeking election as delegates and alternates to the national conventions of the different major political parties who are chosen by direct vote of the electors as provided in this chapter shall be permitted to become a candidate by nominating petition, including a nominating petition filed under section 3517.012 of the Revised Code, by declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or by filling a vacancy under section 3513.31 of the Revised Code at the following general election for any office other than the office of member of the state board of education, office of member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, office of member of a governing board of an educational service center, or office of township trustee.

Section 3513.041 | Write-in votes.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

A write-in space shall be provided on the ballot for every office, except in an election for which the board of elections has received no valid declarations of intent to be a write-in candidate under this section. Write-in votes shall not be counted for any candidate who has not filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate pursuant to this section. A qualified person who has filed a declaration of intent may receive write-in votes at either a primary or general election. Any candidate shall file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate before four p.m. of the seventy-second day preceding the election at which such candidacy is to be considered. If the election is to be determined by electors of a county or a district or subdivision within the county, such declaration shall be filed with the board of elections of that county. If the election is to be determined by electors of a subdivision located in more than one county, such declaration shall be filed with the board of elections of the county in which the major portion of the population of such subdivision is located. If the election is to be determined by electors of a district comprised of more than one county but less than all of the counties of the state, such declaration shall be filed with the board of elections of the most populous county in such district. Any candidate for an office to be voted upon by electors throughout the entire state shall file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate with the secretary of state before four p.m. of the seventy-second day preceding the election at which such candidacy is to be considered. In addition, candidates for president and vice-president of the United States shall also file with the secretary of state by that seventy-second day a slate of presidential electors sufficient in number to satisfy the requirements of the United States constitution.

A board of elections shall not accept for filing the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate of a person seeking to become a candidate if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or has become a candidate through party nomination at a primary election or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code, for any federal, state, or county office, if the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate is for a state or county office, or for any municipal or township office, for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center, if the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate is for a municipal or township office, or for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center.

No person shall file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for the office of governor unless the declaration also shows the intent of another person to be a write-in candidate for the office of lieutenant governor. No person shall file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for the office of lieutenant governor unless the declaration also shows the intent of another person to be a write-in candidate for the office of governor. No person shall file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for the office of governor or lieutenant governor if the person has previously filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate to the office of governor or lieutenant governor at the same primary or general election. A write-in vote for the two candidates who file such a declaration shall be counted as a vote for them as joint candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor.

The secretary of state shall not accept for filing the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate of a person for the office of governor unless the declaration also shows the intent of another person to be a write-in candidate for the office of lieutenant governor, shall not accept for filing the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate of a person for the office of lieutenant governor unless the declaration also shows the intent of another person to be a write-in candidate for the office of governor, and shall not accept for filing the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate of a person to the office of governor or lieutenant governor if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or has become a candidate through party nomination at a primary election or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code, for any other state office or any federal or county office.

Protests against the candidacy of any person filing a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate may be filed by any qualified elector who is eligible to vote in the election at which the candidacy is to be considered. The protest shall be in writing and shall be filed not later than four p.m. of the sixty-seventh day before the day of the election. The protest shall be filed with the board of elections with which the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate was filed. Upon the filing of the protest, the board with which it is filed shall promptly fix the time for hearing it and shall proceed in regard to the hearing in the same manner as for hearings set for protests filed under section 3513.05 of the Revised Code. At the time fixed, the board shall hear the protest and determine the validity or invalidity of the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate. If the board finds that the candidate is not an elector of the state, district, county, or political subdivision in which the candidate seeks election to office or has not fully complied with the requirements of Title XXXV of the Revised Code in regard to the candidate's candidacy, the candidate's declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate shall be determined to be invalid and shall be rejected; otherwise, it shall be determined to be valid. The determination of the board is final.

The secretary of state shall prescribe the form of the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate.

Section 3513.05 | Deadline for filing declaration of candidacy.

• Effective: February 5, 2014
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 193 - 130th General Assembly

Each person desiring to become a candidate for a party nomination at a primary election or for election to an office or position to be voted for at a primary election, except persons desiring to become joint candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor and except as otherwise provided in section 3513.051 of the Revised Code, shall, not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the primary election, file a declaration of candidacy and petition and pay the fees required under divisions (A) and (B) of section 3513.10 of the Revised Code. The declaration of candidacy and all separate petition papers shall be filed at the same time as one instrument. When the offices are to be voted for at a primary election, persons desiring to become joint candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor shall, not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the primary election, comply with section 3513.04 of the Revised Code. The prospective joint candidates' declaration of candidacy and all separate petition papers of candidacies shall be filed at the same time as one instrument. The secretary of state or a board of elections shall not accept for filing a declaration of candidacy and petition of a person seeking to become a candidate if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or has become a candidate by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code for any federal, state, or county office, if the declaration of candidacy is for a state or county office, or for any municipal or township office, if the declaration of candidacy is for a municipal or township office.

If the declaration of candidacy declares a candidacy which is to be submitted to electors throughout the entire state, the petition, including a petition for joint candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, shall be signed by at least one thousand qualified electors who are members of the same political party as the candidate or joint candidates, and the declaration of candidacy and petition shall be filed with the secretary of state; provided that the secretary of state shall not accept or file any such petition appearing on its face to contain signatures of more than three thousand electors.

Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, if the declaration of candidacy is of one that is to be submitted only to electors within a district, political subdivision, or portion thereof, the petition shall be signed by not less than fifty qualified electors who are members of the same political party as the political party of which the candidate is a member. If the declaration of candidacy is for party nomination as a candidate for member of the legislative authority of a municipal corporation elected by ward, the petition shall be signed by not less than twenty-five qualified electors who are members of the political party of which the candidate is a member.

No such petition, except the petition for a candidacy that is to be submitted to electors throughout the entire state, shall be accepted for filing if it appears to contain on its face signatures of more than three times the minimum number of signatures. When a petition of a candidate has been accepted for filing by a board of elections, the petition shall not be deemed invalid if, upon verification of signatures contained in the petition, the board of elections finds the number of signatures accepted exceeds three times the minimum number of signatures required. A board of elections may discontinue verifying signatures on petitions when the number of verified signatures equals the minimum required number of qualified signatures.

If the declaration of candidacy declares a candidacy for party nomination or for election as a candidate of a minor party, the minimum number of signatures on such petition is one-half the minimum number provided in this section, except that, when the candidacy is one for election as a member of the state central committee or the county central committee of a political party, the minimum number shall be the same for a minor party as for a major party.

If a declaration of candidacy is one for election as a member of the state central committee or the county central committee of a political party, the petition shall be signed by five qualified electors of the district, county, ward, township, or precinct within which electors may vote for such candidate. The electors signing such petition shall be members of the same political party as the political party of which the candidate is a member.

For purposes of signing or circulating a petition of candidacy for party nomination or election, an elector is considered to be a member of a political party if the elector voted in that party's primary election within the preceding two calendar years, or if the elector did not vote in any other party's primary election within the preceding two calendar years.

If the declaration of candidacy is of one that is to be submitted only to electors within a county, or within a district or subdivision or part thereof smaller than a county, the petition shall be filed with the board of elections of the county. If the declaration of candidacy is of one that is to be submitted only to electors of a district or subdivision or part thereof that is situated in more than one county, the petition shall be filed with the board of elections of the county within which the major portion of the population thereof, as ascertained by the next preceding federal census, is located.

A petition shall consist of separate petition papers, each of which shall contain signatures of electors of only one county. Petitions or separate petition papers containing signatures of electors of more than one county shall not thereby be declared invalid. In case petitions or separate petition papers containing signatures of electors of more than one county are filed, the board shall determine the county from which the majority of signatures came, and only signatures from such county shall be counted. Signatures from any other county shall be invalid.

Each separate petition paper shall be circulated by one person only, who shall be the candidate or a joint candidate or a member of the same political party as the candidate or joint candidates, and each separate petition paper shall be governed by the rules set forth in section 3501.38 of the Revised Code.

The secretary of state shall promptly transmit to each board such separate petition papers of each petition accompanying a declaration of candidacy filed with the secretary of state as purport to contain signatures of electors of the county of such board. The board of the most populous county of a district shall promptly transmit to each board within such district such separate petition papers of each petition accompanying a declaration of candidacy filed with it as purport to contain signatures of electors of the county of each such board. The board of a county within which the major portion of the population of a subdivision, situated in more than one county, is located, shall promptly transmit to the board of each other county within which a portion of such subdivision is located such separate petition papers of each petition accompanying a declaration of candidacy filed with it as purport to contain signatures of electors of the portion of such subdivision in the county of each such board.

All petition papers so transmitted to a board and all petitions accompanying declarations of candidacy filed with a board shall, under proper regulations, be open to public inspection until four p.m. of the eightieth day before the day of the next primary election. Each board shall, not later than the seventy-eighth day before the day of that primary election, examine and determine the validity or invalidity of the signatures on the petition papers so transmitted to or filed with it and shall return to the secretary of state all petition papers transmitted to it by the secretary of state, together with its certification of its determination as to the validity or invalidity of signatures thereon, and shall return to each other board all petition papers transmitted to it by such board, together with its certification of its determination as to the validity or invalidity of the signatures thereon. All other matters affecting the validity or invalidity of such petition papers shall be determined by the secretary of state or the board with whom such petition papers were filed.

Protests against the candidacy of any person filing a declaration of candidacy for party nomination or for election to an office or position, as provided in this section, may be filed by any qualified elector who is a member of the same political party as the candidate and who is eligible to vote at the primary election for the candidate whose declaration of candidacy the elector objects to, or by the controlling committee of that political party. The protest shall be in writing, and shall be filed not later than four p.m. of the seventy-fourth day before the day of the primary election. The protest shall be filed with the election officials with whom the declaration of candidacy and petition was filed. Upon the filing of the protest, the election officials with whom it is filed shall promptly fix the time for hearing it, and shall forthwith mail notice of the filing of the protest and the time fixed for hearing to the person whose candidacy is so protested. They shall also forthwith mail notice of the time fixed for such hearing to the person who filed the protest. At the time fixed, such election officials shall hear the protest and determine the validity or invalidity of the declaration of candidacy and petition. If they find that such candidate is not an elector of the state, district, county, or political subdivision in which the candidate seeks a party nomination or election to an office or position, or has not fully complied with this chapter, the candidate's declaration of candidacy and petition shall be determined to be invalid and shall be rejected; otherwise, it shall be determined to be valid. That determination shall be final.

A protest against the candidacy of any persons filing a declaration of candidacy for joint party nomination to the offices of governor and lieutenant governor shall be filed, heard, and determined in the same manner as a protest against the candidacy of any person filing a declaration of candidacy singly.

The secretary of state shall, on the seventieth day before the day of a primary election, certify to each board in the state the forms of the official ballots to be used at the primary election, together with the names of the candidates to be printed on the ballots whose nomination or election is to be determined by electors throughout the entire state and who filed valid declarations of candidacy and petitions.

The board of the most populous county in a district comprised of more than one county but less than all of the counties of the state shall, on the seventieth day before the day of a primary election, certify to the board of each county in the district the names of the candidates to be printed on the official ballots to be used at the primary election, whose nomination or election is to be determined only by electors within the district and who filed valid declarations of candidacy and petitions.

The board of a county within which the major portion of the population of a subdivision smaller than the county and situated in more than one county is located shall, on the seventieth day before the day of a primary election, certify to the board of each county in which a portion of that subdivision is located the names of the candidates to be printed on the official ballots to be used at the primary election, whose nomination or election is to be determined only by electors within that subdivision and who filed valid declarations of candidacy and petitions.

Section 3513.051 | County central committee may determine no need for petition.

• Effective: September 20, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 157 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) The county central committee of a political party in a particular county may determine, not later than one hundred twenty days prior to the next primary election at which candidates for member of the county central committee are elected, that each person desiring to become a candidate for election as a member of the county central committee of that party in that county shall file a declaration of candidacy as required by section 3513.05 of the Revised Code but is not required to file a petition as required by that section. If the county central committee of a political party so determines, each person desiring to become a candidate for election as a member of the county central committee of that party in that county is not required to file a petition as required by that section but shall comply with all other applicable requirements of that section.

(B) If the county central committee of a political party in a particular county has determined pursuant to division (A) of this section that each person desiring to become a candidate for election as a member of the county central committee of that party in that county is not required to file a petition as required by section 3513.05 of the Revised Code, the county central committee of that political party in that county may subsequently determine that each person desiring to become a candidate for election as a member of the county central committee of that party in that county shall file that petition. The county central committee shall make that determination not later than one hundred twenty days prior to the next primary election at which candidates for member of the county central committee are elected. After the committee makes that determination, each person desiring to become a candidate for election as a member of the county central committee of that party in that county shall file the petition required by section 3513.05 of the Revised Code and shall meet all other applicable requirements of that section.

Section 3513.052 | Candidacy for more than one office at a time prohibited.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

(A) No person shall seek nomination or election to any of the following offices or positions at the same election by filing a declaration of candidacy and petition, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or by becoming a candidate through party nomination in a primary election, or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code:

(1) Two or more state offices;

(2) Two or more county offices;

(3) A state office and a county office;

(4) A federal office and a state or county office;

(5) Any combination of two or more municipal or township offices, positions as a member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or positions as a member of a governing board of an educational service center.

(B) The secretary of state or a board of elections shall not accept for filing a declaration of candidacy and petition, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition of a person seeking to become a candidate if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or has become a candidate through party nomination at a primary election or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code for:

(1) Any federal, state, or county office, if the declaration of candidacy, declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or nominating petition is for a state or county office;

(2) Any municipal or township office, or for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center, if the declaration of candidacy, declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or nominating petition is for a municipal or township office, or for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center.

(C)(1) If the secretary of state determines, before the day of the primary election, that a person is seeking nomination to more than one office at that election in violation of division (A) of this section, the secretary of state shall do one of the following:

(a) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking nomination is wholly within a single county and none of those offices is a federal office, the secretary of state shall notify the board of elections of that county. The board then shall determine the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for each of those offices by filing a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code. The board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office for which the person sought to become a candidate after the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for any of those offices. If the board determines that the person sought to become a candidate for more than one of those offices on the same date, the board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks nomination, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(b) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a state office or an office with a district larger than a single county and none of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a federal office, the secretary of state shall determine the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for each of those offices by filing a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code. The secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office for which the person sought to become a candidate after the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for any of those offices. If the secretary of state determines that the person sought to become a candidate for more than one of those offices on the same date, the secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks nomination, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state.

(c) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking nomination is wholly within a single county and any of those offices is a federal office, the secretary of state shall notify the board of elections of that county. The board then shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office.

(d) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a state office and any of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a federal office, the secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state.

(2) If a board of elections determines, before the day of the primary election, that a person is seeking nomination to more than one office at that election in violation of division (A) of this section, the board shall do one of the following:

(a) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking nomination is wholly within that county and none of those offices is a federal office, the board shall determine the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for each of those offices by filing a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code. The board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office for which the person sought to become a candidate after the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for any of those offices. If the board determines that the person sought to become a candidate for more than one of those offices on the same date, the board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks nomination, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(b) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a state office or an office with a district larger than a single county and none of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a federal office, the board shall notify the secretary of state. The secretary of state then shall determine the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for each of those offices by filing a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code. The secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office for which the person sought to become a candidate after the date on which the person first sought to become a candidate for any of those offices. If the secretary of state determines that the person sought to become a candidate for more than one of those offices on the same date, the secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks nomination, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state.

(c) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking nomination is wholly within a single county and any of those offices is a federal office, the board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office.

(d) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a state office and any of the offices for which the person is seeking nomination is a federal office, the board shall notify the secretary of state. The secretary of state then shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state.

(D)(1) If the secretary of state determines, after the day of the primary election and before the day of the general election, that a person is seeking election to more than one office at that election in violation of division (A) of this section, the secretary of state shall do one of the following:

(a) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking election is wholly within a single county and none of those offices is a federal office, the secretary of state shall notify the board of elections of that county. The board then shall determine the offices for which the person seeks to appear as a candidate on the ballot. The board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(b) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a state office or an office with a district larger than a single county and none of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a federal office, the secretary of state shall promptly investigate and determine the offices for which the person seeks to appear as a candidate on the ballot. The secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(c) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking election is wholly within a single county and any of those offices is a federal office, the secretary of state shall notify the board of elections of that county. The board then shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that is not a federal office.

(d) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a state office and any of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a federal office, the secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that is not a federal office.

(2) If a board of elections determines, after the day of the primary election and before the day of the general election, that a person is seeking election to more than one office at that election in violation of division (A) of this section, the board of elections shall do one of the following:

(a) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking election is wholly within that county and none of those offices is a federal office, the board shall determine the offices for which the person seeks to appear as a candidate on the ballot. The board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(b) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a state office or an office with a district larger than a single county and none of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a federal office, the board shall notify the secretary of state. The secretary of state promptly shall investigate and determine the offices for which the person seeks to appear as a candidate on the ballot. The secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that would be listed on the ballot below the highest office for which that person seeks election, according to the ballot order prescribed under section 3505.03 of the Revised Code.

(c) If each office or the district for each office for which the person is seeking election is wholly within that county and any of those offices is a federal office, the board shall vote promptly to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that is not a federal office.

(d) If one or more of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a state office and any of the offices for which the person is seeking election is a federal office, the board shall notify the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall order the board of elections of each county in which the person is seeking to appear on the ballot to disqualify that person as a candidate for each office that is not a federal office. Each board of elections so notified shall vote promptly to disqualify the person as a candidate in accordance with the order of the secretary of state. If the person sought nomination at a primary election and has not yet been issued a certificate of nomination, the board shall not issue that certificate for that person for any office that is not a federal office.

(E) When a person is disqualified as a candidate under division (C) or (D) of this section, on or before the seventieth day before the day of the applicable election, the board of elections shall remove the person's name from the ballot for any office for which that person has been disqualified as a candidate according to the directions of the secretary of state. When a person is disqualified as a candidate under division (C) or (D) of this section after the seventieth day before the day of the applicable election, the board of elections shall not remove the person's name from the ballot for any office for which that person has been disqualified as a candidate. The board of elections shall post a notice at each polling location on the day of the applicable election, and shall enclose with each absent voter's ballot given or mailed after the candidate is disqualified, a notice that votes for the person for the office for which the person has been disqualified as a candidate will be void and will not be counted. If the name is not removed from the ballots before the day of the election, the votes for the disqualified candidate are void and shall not be counted.

(F) Any vacancy created by the disqualification of a person as a candidate under division (C) or (D) of this section may be filled in the manner provided for in sections 3513.30 and 3513.31 of the Revised Code.

(G) Nothing in this section or section 3513.04, 3513.041, 3513.05, 3513.251, 3513.253, 3513.254, 3513.255, 3513.257, 3513.259, or 3513.261 of the Revised Code prohibits, and the secretary of state or a board of elections shall not disqualify, a person from being a candidate for an office, if that person timely withdraws as a candidate for any offices specified in division (A) of this section for which that person first sought to become a candidate by filing a declaration of candidacy and petition, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, by party nomination in a primary election, or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code.

(H) As used in this section:

(1) "State office" means the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, attorney general, member of the state board of education, member of the general assembly, chief justice of the supreme court, and justice of the supreme court.

(2) "Timely withdraws" means either of the following:

(a) Withdrawing as a candidate before the applicable deadline for filing a declaration of candidacy, declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or nominating petition for the subsequent office for which the person is seeking to become a candidate at the same election;

(b) Withdrawing as a candidate before the applicable deadline for the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code, if the person is seeking to become a candidate for a subsequent office at the same election under either of those sections.

Section 3513.06 | Change of name of candidate.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

If any person desiring to become a candidate for public office has had a change of name within five years immediately preceding the filing of the person's declaration of candidacy, the person's declaration of candidacy and petition shall both contain, immediately following the person's present name, the person's former names. Any person who has been elected under the person's changed name, without submission of the person's former name, shall be immediately suspended from the office and the office declared vacated, and shall be liable to the state for any salary he has received while holding such office. The attorney general in the case of candidates for state offices, the prosecuting attorney of the most populous county in a district in the case of candidates for district offices, and the prosecuting attorney of the county in the case of all other candidates shall institute necessary action to enforce this section.

This section does not apply to a change of name by reason of marriage; to a candidate for a state office who has once complied with this section and who has previously been elected to a state office; to a candidate for a district office who has once complied with this section and who has previously been elected to a state or district office; to a candidate for a county office who has once complied with this section and has previously been elected to a state, district, or county office; to a candidate for a municipal office who has once complied with this section and has previously been elected to a municipal office; or to a candidate for a township office who has once complied with this section and has previously been elected to a township office; provided that such previous election was one at which his candidacy complied with this section.

Section 3513.07 | Form of declaration of candidacy and petition.

• Effective: June 1, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 3 - 126th General Assembly

The form of declaration of candidacy and petition of a person desiring to be a candidate for a party nomination or a candidate for election to an office or position to be voted for at a primary election shall be substantially as follows:

"DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY PARTY PRIMARY ELECTION

I, ___________________________ (Name of Candidate), the undersigned, hereby declare under penalty of election falsification that my voting residence is in _______________ precinct of the _____________________________ (Township) or (Ward and City or Village) in the county of ________________, Ohio; that my voting residence is _______________ (Street and Number, if any, or Rural Route and Number) of the _____________________________ (City or Village) of _________________, Ohio; and that I am a qualified elector in the precinct in which my voting residence is located. I am a member of the ________ Party. I hereby declare that I desire to be ____________________ (a candidate for nomination as a candidate of the Party for election to the office of _____________) (a candidate for election to the office or position of ______________) for the ____________ in the state, district, (Full term or unexpired term ending _______________) county, city, or village of ___________________, at the primary election to be held on the _____________ day of _________, ____, and I hereby request that my name be printed upon the official primary election ballot of the said __________ Party as a candidate for _________ (such nomination) or (such election) as provided by law.

I further declare that, if elected to said office or position, I will qualify therefor, and that I will support and abide by the principles enunciated by the ____________ Party.

Dated this __________ day of _________________, _________

__________________________________

(Signature of candidate)

WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE.

PETITION OF CANDIDATE

We, the undersigned, qualified electors of the state of Ohio, whose voting residence is in the county, city, village, ward, township, or school district, and precinct set opposite our names, and members of the _______________________________________ Party, hereby certify that ____________________________ (Name of candidate) whose declaration of candidacy is filed herewith, is a member of the ____________ Party, and is, in our opinion, well qualified to perform the duties of the office or position to which that candidate desires to be elected.

Street City,

and Village or Signature Number Township Ward Precinct County Date

(Must use address on file with the board of elections)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ - _______________________________________ (Name of circulator of petition), declares under penalty of election falsification that the circulator of the petition is a qualified elector of the state of Ohio and resides at the address appearing below the signature of that circulator; that the circulator is a member of the ___________ Party; that the circulator is the circulator of the foregoing petition paper containing _____________ (Number) signatures; that the circulator witnessed the affixing of every signature; that all signers were to the best of the circulator's knowledge and belief qualified to sign; and that every signature is to the best of the circulator's knowledge and belief the signature of the person whose signature it purports to be or of an attorney in fact acting pursuant to section 3501.382 of the Revised Code.

_____________________________

(Signature of circulator)

____________________________

(Address of circulator's

permanent residence in this

state)

_________________________

(If petition is for a

statewide candidate, the

name and address of person

employing to circulate

petition, if any)

WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE."

The secretary of state shall prescribe a form of declaration of candidacy and petition, and the form shall be substantially similar to the declaration of candidacy and petition set forth in this section, that will be suitable for joint candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor.

The petition provided for in this section shall be circulated only by a member of the same political party as the candidate.

Section 3513.08 | Declaration of candidacy for judicial office.

• Effective: March 23, 1981
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1062 - 113th General Assembly

Each person filing a declaration of candidacy for nomination at a primary election as a candidate for election to the office of judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, court of common pleas, probate court, and such other courts as are established by law, in addition to designating in such declaration the office for election to which he seeks such nomination, shall, if two or more judges of the same court are to be elected at any one election, designate the term of the office for election to which he seeks such nomination by stating therein, if a full term, the date of the commencement of such term as follows:

"Full term commencing ______________________ (date) __________," or by stating therein, if an unexpired term, the date on which such unexpired term will end as follows: "unexpired term ending ____________________ (Date) ____________________"

Each person filing a declaration of candidacy for nomination at a primary election as a candidate for election to the office of county commissioner, in addition to designating in the declaration the office for election to which he seeks the nomination, shall, if two or more commissioners of the same county are to be elected at any one election, designate the term of the office for election to which he seeks the nomination by stating therein, if a full term, the date of the commencement of the term, as follows:

"Full term commencing _________________ (Date) ______________," or by stating therein, if an unexpired term, the date on which the unexpired term will end, as follows: "unexpired term ending _________________ (Date) ___________"

Each person filing a declaration of candidacy for nomination at a primary election as a candidate for the unexpired term of any office shall designate in such declaration the date on which such unexpired term will end.

Section 3513.09 | Candidate's signature.

• Effective: June 1, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 3 - 126th General Assembly

If the petition required by section 3513.07 of the Revised Code to be filed with a declaration of candidacy consists of more than one separate petition paper, the declaration of candidacy of the candidate named need be signed by the candidate, or of an attorney in fact acting pursuant to section 3501.382 of the Revised Code, on only one of such separate petition papers, but the declaration of candidacy so signed shall be copied on each other separate petition paper before the signature of electors are placed on it.

Section 3513.10 | Filing fees.

• Effective: March 31, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1SPECIALSESSION - 125th General Assembly

(A) At the time of filing a declaration of candidacy for nomination for any office, or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, each candidate, except joint candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, shall pay a fee as follows:

For statewide office	$100
For court of appeals judge	$ 50
For court of common pleas judge	$ 50
For county court judge	$ 50
For municipal court judge	$ 50
For district office, including member of the United States house of representatives and member of the general assembly	$ 50
For county office	$ 50
For city office	$ 20
For village office	$ 10
For township office	$ 10
For member of state board of education	$ 20
For member of local, city, or exempted village board of education or educational service center governing board	$ 10

At the time of filing a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, the joint candidates shall jointly pay to the secretary of state a fee of one hundred dollars.

(B)(1) At the same time the fee required under division (A) of this section is paid, each candidate shall pay an additional fee as follows:

For the joint candidates for governor and lieutenant governor	$ 50
For statewide office	$ 50
For district office, including member of the United States house of representatives and member of the general assembly	$ 35
For member of state board of education	$ 35
For court of appeals judge	$ 30
For court of common pleas judge	$ 30
For county court judge	$ 30
For municipal court judge	$ 30
For county office	$ 30
For city office	$ 25
For village office	$ 20
For township office	$ 20
For member of local, city, or exempted village board of education or educational service center governing board	$ 20

(2) Whoever seeks to propose a ballot question or issue to be submitted to the electors shall pay the following fee at the time the petition proposing the question or issue is filed:

(a) If the question or issue is to be submitted to the electors throughout the entire state, twenty-five dollars;

(b) If the question or issue is to be submitted to the electors of a county or of a district that consists of all or part of two or more counties but less than the entire state, fifteen dollars;

(c) If the question or issue is to be submitted to the electors of a city, twelve dollars and fifty cents;

(d) If the question or issue is to be submitted to the electors of a village, a township, a local, city, county, or exempted village school district, a precinct, or another district consisting of less than an entire county, ten dollars.

(C) No fee shall be required of candidates filing for the office of delegate or alternate to the national convention of political parties, member of the state central committee of a political party, or member of the county central committee of a political party.

(D) All fees required under division (A) of this section immediately shall be paid by the officer receiving them into the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund, in the case of fees received by the secretary of state, and into the county treasury to the credit of the county general fund, in the case of fees received by a board of elections.

(E) The officer who receives a fee required under division (B) of this section immediately shall pay the fee to the credit of the Ohio elections commission fund created by division (I) of section 3517.152 of the Revised Code.

(F)(1) In no case shall a fee paid under this section be returned to a candidate.

(2) Whenever a section of law refers to a filing fee to be paid by a candidate or by a committee proposing a ballot question or issue to be submitted to the electors, that fee includes the fees required under divisions (A) and (B) of this section.

(G) As used in divisions (A) and (B) of this section, "statewide office" means the office of secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, attorney general, justice and chief justice of the supreme court, and member of the United States senate.

Section 3513.11 | State convention of major political parties.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

In the year 1952 and in each second year thereafter, each major political party in the state may hold a state convention. If a major political party holds a state convention, it shall comply with the requirements of this section. A state convention of a major political party shall be composed of delegates who are its candidates for election to state offices, except judicial offices; its candidates for election to the office of member of the senate of the United States, member of the house of representatives of the United States, and member of the general assembly of Ohio; the members of its state central and executive committees, and the chairman of its county central and executive committees; and five hundred delegates to be apportioned by the state central committee of the respective parties among the several counties of the state in proportion to its party's vote for governor cast in the several counties at the most recent general election; provided that in any even-numbered year in which no election is to be held to elect successors to incumbents of any of the offices mentioned in this section, except judicial offices, each such incumbent shall also be a delegate to the state convention of his political party. The delegates to such convention apportioned to each county by the state central committee of the respective parties shall be selected by the county executive committees of the respective parties.

At each convention of a major political party, the state platform of such party for such year shall be formulated.

The state central committee of each political party shall fix the time and place for holding the convention of its party, except that the state convention shall be held no later than forty days prior to the general election.

At the state convention of each major political party held in 1952, and in each fourth year thereafter, persons shall be nominated as candidates for election as presidential electors to be voted for at the succeeding general election. Within five days after the holding of each such convention, the chairman and secretary thereof shall certify in writing to the secretary of state the names of all persons nominated at such convention as candidates for election as presidential electors.

Section 3513.111 | Nominating candidates for election as presidential electors.

• Effective: September 23, 1992
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 438 - 119th General Assembly

(A) Any major political party that does not hold a state convention under section 3513.11 of the Revised Code shall nominate candidates for election as presidential electors in accordance with this section.

(B) In accordance with party rules, in 1992 and in each fourth year thereafter, the executive committee of the state central committee of a major political party described in division (A) of this section shall nominate candidates for election as presidential electors to be voted for at the general election to be held that year. The nomination of these candidates shall occur no later than forty days prior to the general election. Within five days after these candidates are nominated, the chairman or secretary of the executive committee, or, in the absence of the chairman or secretary, a member of the committee designated by a majority of the other members of the committee, shall certify in writing to the secretary of state the names of all persons so nominated.

Section 3513.12 | Delegates to national party convention.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

At a presidential primary election, which shall be held as provided in division (E)(2) of section 3501.01 of the Revised Code, delegates and alternates to the national conventions of the different major political parties shall be chosen by direct vote of the electors as provided in this chapter. Candidates for delegate and alternate shall be qualified and the election shall be conducted in the manner prescribed in this chapter for the nomination of candidates for state and district offices, except as provided in section 3513.151 of the Revised Code and except that whenever any group of candidates for delegate at large or alternate at large, or any group of candidates for delegates or alternates from districts, file with the secretary of state statements as provided by this section, designating the same persons as their first and second choices for president of the United States, such a group of candidates may submit a group petition containing a declaration of candidacy for each of such candidates. The group petition need be signed only by the number of electors required for the petition of a single candidate. No group petition shall be submitted except by a group of candidates equal in number to the whole number of delegates at large or alternates at large to be elected or equal in number to the whole number of delegates or alternates from a district to be elected.

Each person seeking to be elected as delegate or alternate to the national convention of the person's political party shall file with the person's declaration of candidacy and certificate a statement in writing signed by the person in which the person shall state the person's first and second choices for nomination as the candidate of the person's party for the presidency of the United States. The secretary of state shall not permit any declaration of candidacy and certificate of a candidate for election as such delegate or alternate to be filed unless accompanied by such statement in writing. The name of a candidate for the presidency shall not be so used without the candidate's written consent.

A person who is a first choice for president of candidates seeking election as delegates and alternates shall file with the secretary of state, prior to the day of the election, a list indicating the order in which certificates of election are to be issued to delegate or alternate candidates to whose candidacy the person has consented, if fewer than all of such candidates are entitled under party rules to be certified as elected. Each candidate for election as such delegate or alternate may also file along with the candidate's declaration of candidacy and certificate a statement in writing signed by the candidate in the following form:

"Statement of Candidate

For Election as ____________ (Delegate) (Alternate) to the

____________ (name of political party) National Convention

I hereby declare to the voters of my political party in the State of Ohio that, if elected as ____________ (delegate) (alternate) to their national party convention, I shall, to the best of my judgment and ability, support that candidate for President of the United States who shall have been selected at this primary by the voters of my party in the manner provided in Chapter 3513. of the Ohio Revised Code, as their candidate for such office.

___________________________ (name),

Candidate for _____________

(Delegate) (Alternate)"

The procedures for the selection of candidates for delegate and alternate to the national convention of a political party set forth in this section and in section 3513.121 of the Revised Code are alternative procedures, and if the procedures of this section are followed, the procedures of section 3513.121 of the Revised Code need not be followed.

Section 3513.121 | Delegates to national party convention alternative procedures.

• Effective: January 20, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 318 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Any candidate for the presidency of the United States who has raised at least five thousand dollars for the primary election in each of twenty states from individuals, with a maximum of two hundred fifty dollars per contributor counting toward the threshold, may file with the secretary of state a declaration of candidacy not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the presidential primary election. Such declaration of candidacy shall be accompanied by a reasonable accounting proving eligibility and a statement from the candidate's registered principal campaign committee treasurer, meeting the standards of 28 U.S.C. sec. 1746, certifying that the candidate has met the contribution requirements of this division. Any candidate who files a declaration of candidacy pursuant to this division shall also file, or shall cause to be filed by a person authorized in writing to represent the candidate, not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the same primary election, a list of candidates for district delegate and alternate to the national convention of the candidate's political party who have been selected in accordance with rules adopted by the state central committee of the candidate's political party. The candidates for district delegate and alternate whose names appear on this list shall be represented on the ballot in accordance with section 3513.151 of the Revised Code in every congressional district that the presidential candidate named in the presidential candidate's declaration of candidacy, provided that such candidates meet the other requirements of this section.

(B) Candidates for delegate at large and alternate at large to the national convention of a political party for a presidential candidate who submits a declaration of candidacy in accordance with division (A) of this section shall be selected in accordance with rules adopted by the state central committee of the presidential candidate's political party.

(C) Each candidate for district delegate and alternate to the national convention of a political party selected pursuant to division (A) of this section shall file or shall cause to be filed with the secretary of state, not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the presidential primary election in which the person is a candidate, both of the following:

(1) A declaration of candidacy in the form prescribed in section 3513.07 of the Revised Code, but not the petition prescribed in that section;

(2) A statement in writing signed by the candidate in which the candidate states the candidate's first and second choices for nomination as the candidate of the candidate's party for the presidency of the United States.

(D) A declaration of candidacy filed pursuant to division (A) of this section shall be in substantially the form prescribed in section 3513.07 of the Revised Code except that the secretary of state shall modify that form to include spaces for a presidential candidate to indicate in which congressional districts the candidate wishes the candidate's candidacy to be submitted to the electors and shall modify it in any other ways necessary to adapt it to use by presidential candidates. A candidate who files a declaration of candidacy pursuant to division (A) of this section shall not file the petition prescribed in section 3513.07 of the Revised Code.

(E) Section 3513.151 of the Revised Code applies in regard to candidates for delegate and alternate to the national convention of a political party selected pursuant to this section. The state central committee of the political party of any presidential candidate who files a declaration of candidacy pursuant to division (A) of this section shall file with the secretary of state the rules of its political party in accordance with division (E) of section 3513.151 of the Revised Code.

(F) The procedures for the selection of candidates for delegate and alternate to the national convention of a political party set forth in this section and in section 3513.12 of the Revised Code are alternative procedures, and if the procedures of this section are followed, the procedures of section 3513.12 of the Revised Code need not be followed.

Section 3513.122 | Electing delegates and alternates to other national conventions or conferences.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

Political parties shall be eligible to elect delegates and alternates to national conventions or conferences of their respective political parties, other than conventions provided for in section 3513.12 of the Revised Code, if they notify the secretary of state that they will elect such delegates. Such notification must be made prior to the one hundred fifth day before the day of the primary election which occurs in any year at which national convention or conference delegates and alternates are elected.

Petitions of candidacy for such delegates shall be filed in the form and manner provided by the secretary of state.

Any political party electing delegates to a national convention or conference under this section in an odd-numbered year in which a statewide primary election is not otherwise required shall pay all expenses of that election.

Section 3513.13 | Separate primary election ballots for political parties.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

Separate primary election ballots shall be provided by the board of elections for each political party having candidates for nomination or election in a primary election. Section 3505.08 of the Revised Code governing the kind of paper, the kind of ink, and the size and style of type to be used in the printing of ballots for general elections shall apply in the printing of ballots for primary elections.

Primary election ballots shall have printed on the back thereof "Official ____________ (name of party) __________ primary ballot," the date of the election, and the facsimile signatures of the members of the board.

Such ballots shall have stubs attached at the top thereof as required on ballots for general elections.

On the back of every ballot used there shall be a solid black line printed opposite the blank rectangular space that is used to mark the choice of the voter. This line shall be printed wide enough so that the mark in the blank rectangular space will not be visible from the back side of the ballot.

Such ballots shall have printed at the top thereof and below the stubs "Official __________ (name of party) ___________ primary ballot" and instructions to the voter to the effect that to vote for a candidate the voter shall record the vote in the manner provided on the ballot next to the name of such candidate, except as provided in section 3513.151 of the Revised Code, and that if he tears, soils, defaces, or erroneously marks the ballot he may return it to the precinct election officers and obtain another ballot.

Except as provided in section 3513.151 of the Revised Code, primary election ballots shall contain the names of all persons whose declarations of candidacy and petitions have been determined to be valid. The name of each candidate for nomination for, or election to, an office or position shall be printed in an enclosed rectangular space at the left of which an enclosed blank rectangular space shall be provided. The names of candidates shall be printed on the ballot immediately below the title of the office or position for nomination or election to which the candidate seeks nomination or election. The order in which offices and positions shall be listed on the ballot shall be prescribed by and shall be certified to each board by the secretary of state, and shall be the same, to the extent the secretary of state deems practicable, as is provided for the listing of offices on general election ballots.

Section 3513.131 | Candidates with identical surnames.

• Effective: February 25, 2014
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly

In the event two or more persons with identical surnames run for the same office in a primary election on the same ballot, the names of the candidates shall be differentiated on the ballot by varying combinations of first and middle names and initials. Within twenty-four hours after the final date for filing declarations of candidacy or petitions for candidacy, the director of the board of elections for local, municipal, county, general, or special elections, or the director of the board of elections of the most populous county for district, general, or special elections, or the secretary of state for state-wide general and special elections shall notify the persons with identical given names and surnames that the names of such persons will be differentiated on the ballot. If one of the candidates is an incumbent who is a candidate to succeed self for the office the incumbent occupies, the incumbent shall have first choice of the name by which the incumbent is designated on the ballot. If an incumbent does not make a choice within two days after notification or if none of the candidates is an incumbent, the board of elections within three days after notification shall designate the names by which the candidates are identified on the ballot. In case of a district candidate the board of elections in the most populous county shall make the determination. In case of state-wide candidates, or in the case any board of elections fails to make a designation within three days after notification, the secretary of state shall immediately make the determination.

"Notification" as required by this section shall be by the director of the board of elections or secretary of state by certified mail at the candidate's address listed in the candidate's declaration or petition of candidacy.

Section 3513.14 | Primary election ballot form.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

Except in elections for which the board of elections has received no valid declarations of intent to be a write-in candidate under section 3513.041 of the Revised Code, immediately below the title of each office for which nominations are to be made and the names of candidates for such nomination printed thereunder, there shall be provided on each primary election ballot as many blank spaces as, but not more than, the number of nominations to be made for such office, in which the voter may write the names of persons for whose nomination he desires to vote, provided that inasmuch as candidates for the office of delegate and alternate to the national and state conventions, member of the state central committee, and member of the county central committee are elected at the primary election no blank space shall be left on the ballot after the names of the candidates for such office, and no vote shall be counted for any person whose name has been written in on said ballot for any of such offices. If no person files and qualifies as a candidate for the office of member of the state central committee or member of the county central committee such office shall not appear on the ballot.

The face of the ballot below the stub shall be substantially in the following form:

OFFICIAL ____________(name of party)__________

PRIMARY BALLOT

(A) To vote for a candidate record your vote in the manner provided next to the name of such candidate.

(B) If you tear, soil, deface, or erroneously mark this ballot return it to the election officials and obtain another.

Section 3513.15 | Rotating names of candidates on ballot.

• Effective: October 8, 1982
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 419 - 114th General Assembly

The names of the candidates in each group of two or more candidates seeking the same nomination or election at a primary election, except delegates and alternates to the national convention of a political party, shall be rotated and printed as provided in section 3505.03 of the Revised Code, except that no indication of membership in or affiliation with a political party shall be printed after or under the candidate's name. When the names of the first choices for president of candidates for delegate and alternate are not grouped with the names of such candidates, the names of the first choices for president shall be rotated in the same manner as the names of candidates. The specific form and size of the ballot shall be prescribed by the secretary of state in compliance with this chapter.

It shall not be necessary to have the names of candidates for member of a county central committee printed on the ballots provided for absentee voters, and the board may cause the names of such candidates to be written on said ballots in the spaces provided therefor.

The secretary of state shall prescribe the procedure for rotating the names of candidates on the ballot and the form of the ballot for the election of delegates and alternates to the national convention of a political party in accordance with section 3513.151 of the Revised Code.

Section 3513.151 | Arrangement of names of candidates for delegate and alternate to national convention of political party.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

(A) Candidates for delegate and alternate to the national convention of a political party shall be represented on the ballot, or their names shall appear on the ballot, in accordance with this section, but only in a manner that enables an elector to record the vote in the space provided for it by the name of the first choice for president so that the recording of the vote is counted as a vote cast for each candidate for delegate or alternate who has declared such person as that candidate's first choice for president.

(B) The names of candidates for delegate at large and alternate at large to the national convention of a political party shall not appear on the ballot. Such candidates shall be represented on the ballot by their stated first choice for president.

(C) The state central committee of each major political party, through its chairperson, not later than ninety days prior to the date of the presidential primary election, shall file with the secretary of state a statement that stipulates, in accordance with rules adopted by each state central committee at a meeting open to all members of the committee's party, whether or not the names of candidates for district delegate and district alternate to the national convention of that chairperson's party are to be printed on the ballot. The secretary of state shall prescribe the form of the ballot for the election of district delegates and district alternates of each political party in accordance with such statement. If the state central committee of a political party fails to so provide such statement, the secretary of state shall prescribe a form of ballot on which the names of candidates for delegate and alternate to such national convention do not appear on the ballot. Only the names of the presidential first choices of such candidates for delegates and alternates shall appear on the ballot. If only the names of presidential first choices are printed, the ballot shall provide the opportunity for an elector to record the vote in the appropriate space provided beside such names and such a vote cast shall be counted as a vote for each candidate for delegate and alternate who has declared such person as that candidate's first choice for president.

If the number of candidates for district delegate or for district alternate to the national convention of a political party exceeds the number to be elected, the names of such candidates, when required to appear on the ballot, shall not be rotated, but shall be printed in a group on the ballot in alphabetical order immediately below or beside first choice for president. This form of the ballot shall be prescribed by the secretary so that the recording of the vote in the space provided beside the name of such choice for president shall be a vote for each candidate whose name is included in the grouping.

(D) Candidates, grouped by first choice for president, shall be rotated in the same manner as though each grouping were a separate candidate. As many series of ballots shall be printed as the number of groups to be rotated, with the total number of ballots to be printed divided by the number of series to be printed in order to determine the number of ballots to be printed of each series. On the first series of ballots, the candidates shall be alphabetically grouped by their first choice for president. On each succeeding series, the group of candidates that was the first in the preceding series shall be last and each of the other groups shall be moved up one place. The ballots shall be rotated and printed as provided in section 3505.03 of the Revised Code, except that no indication of membership in or affiliation with a political party shall be printed after or under the candidate's name.

(E) The state central committee of each major political party, through its chairperson, not later than the fifteenth day prior to the date of the presidential primary election, shall file with the secretary of state the rules of its political party adopted by the state central committee at a meeting open to all members of the committee's party, which affect the issuance of certificates of election to candidates for delegate or alternate to its party nominating convention, and the secretary of state shall issue certificates of election in accordance with such rules.

(F) If party rules prescribe that fewer than all such candidates for delegate and alternate are to be elected, certificates of election shall be issued in the order preferred by the first choice for president and in such numbers that the number of delegates and alternates certified as elected reflects, as nearly as possible, the proportion to be elected under the party rules.

(G) If the state central committee of a political party fails to file the rules with the secretary of state pursuant to this section, certificates of election shall be issued to the candidates for delegate and alternate receiving the highest number of votes.

Section 3513.16 | Designation of term for judge of court of common pleas on primary ballot.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When two or more judges of the court of common pleas are to be elected in a county at any one election, the name of each candidate shall be placed upon the primary ballot under the designation of the term for which he is a candidate. Such designation shall correspond to that required by section 3513.08 of the Revised Code. The candidates for each term so designated shall be candidates for that term only, unless two or more new judgeships have been created, in which case from all candidates for a newly-created judgeship those receiving the highest number of votes shall be nominated.

Section 3513.17 | Death of candidate before primary election.

• Effective: September 28, 1959
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 72 - 103rd General Assembly

If a person who has filed a declaration of candidacy, whose candidacy is to be submitted at a primary election to the electors of the entire state, dies prior to the tenth day before the day of such primary election, the secretary of state, upon proof of the death of such candidate, shall make certification of such death to the boards of elections of the state, and the name of such deceased candidate shall not appear on the ballots.

If a person who has filed a declaration of candidacy, whose candidacy is to be submitted at a primary election to the electors of a district comprised of more than one county but less than all the counties of the state, dies prior to the tenth day before the day of such primary election, the board of the most populous county of such district shall, upon proof of the death of such candidate, make certification of such death to the boards of such district, and the name of such deceased candidate shall not appear on the ballots.

If a person who has filed a declaration of candidacy, whose candidacy is to be submitted at a primary election to the electors of a subdivision smaller than a county but situated in more than one county, dies prior to the tenth day before the day of such primary election, the board of the county in which the major portion of the population of such subdivision is located shall, upon proof of the death of such candidate, make certification of such death to the boards of the other counties in which portions of the population of such subdivision are located, and the name of such deceased candidate shall not appear on the ballots.

If a person who has filed a declaration of candidacy, whose candidacy is to be submitted at a primary election to the electors of a county, or district or subdivision within a county, dies prior to the fifth day before the day of such primary election, upon proof of the death of such candidate to the board, the name of such deceased candidate shall not appear on the ballots.

If, at the time such certification or proof of death of a candidate is received by a board, ballots carrying the name of the deceased candidate have been printed, such board shall cause strips of paper to be pasted on such ballots so as to cover the name of the deceased candidate before such ballots are delivered to electors; except that in voting places using marking devices, the board shall cause strips of paper bearing the revised list of candidates for the office, after eliminating the deceased candidate's name, to be pasted on such ballot cards so as to cover the name or names formerly shown, before such ballot cards are delivered to the electors.

In no case shall votes cast for a deceased candidate be counted or recorded.

Section 3513.18 | Primary election pollbooks.

• Effective: February 25, 2014
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly

Party primaries shall be held at the same place and time, but there shall be separate pollbooks and tally sheets provided at each polling place for each party participating in the election.

If a special election on a question or issue is held on the day of a primary election, there shall be provided in the pollbooks pages on which shall be recorded the names of all electors voting on said question or issue and not voting in such primary. It shall not be necessary for electors desiring to vote only on the question or issue to declare their political affiliation.

Section 3513.19 | Challenges at primary elections.

• Effective: February 25, 2014
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly

(A) It is the duty of any precinct election official, whenever any such official doubts that a person attempting to vote at a primary election is legally entitled to vote at that election, to challenge the right of that person to vote. The right of a person to vote at a primary election may be challenged upon the following grounds:

(1) That the person whose right to vote is challenged is not a legally qualified elector;

(2) That the person has received or has been promised some valuable reward or consideration for the person's vote;

(3) That the person is not affiliated with or is not a member of the political party whose ballot the person desires to vote. Such party affiliation shall be determined by examining the elector's voting record for the current year and the immediately preceding two calendar years as shown on the voter's registration card, using the standards of affiliation specified in the seventh paragraph of section 3513.05 of the Revised Code. Division (A)(3) of this section and the seventh paragraph of section 3513.05 of the Revised Code do not prohibit a person who holds an elective office for which candidates are nominated at a party primary election from doing any of the following:

(a) If the person voted as a member of a different political party at any primary election within the current year and the immediately preceding two calendar years, being a candidate for nomination at a party primary held during the times specified in division (C)(2) of section 3513.191 of the Revised Code provided that the person complies with the requirements of that section;

(b) Circulating the person's own petition of candidacy for party nomination in the primary election.

(B) When the right of a person to vote is challenged upon the ground set forth in division (A)(3) of this section, membership in or political affiliation with a political party shall be determined by the person's statement, made under penalty of election falsification, that the person desires to be affiliated with and supports the principles of the political party whose primary ballot the person desires to vote.

Section 3513.191 | Disqualification of candidate for party primary.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

(A) No person shall be a candidate for nomination or election at a party primary if the person voted as a member of a different political party at any primary election within the current year and the immediately preceding two calendar years.

(B) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, either of the following persons may be candidates for nomination of any political party at a party primary:

(1) A person who does not hold an elective office;

(2) A person who holds an elective office other than one for which candidates are nominated at a party primary.

(C)(1) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, a person who holds an elective office for which candidates are nominated at a party primary may be a candidate at a primary election held during the times specified in division (C)(2) of this section for nomination as a candidate of a political party of which the person is prohibited from being a candidate for nomination under division (A) of this section if the person files a declaration of intent to seek the nomination of that party and if, by filing the declaration, the person has not violated division (C)(3) of this section. The declaration of intent shall:

(a) Be filed not later than four p.m. of the thirtieth day before a declaration of candidacy and petition is required to be filed under section 3513.05 of the Revised Code;

(b) Be filed with the same official with whom the person filing the declaration of intent is required to file a declaration of candidacy and petition;

(c) Indicate the political party whose nomination in the primary election the person seeks;

(d) Be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state.

(2) No person filing a declaration of intent under division (C)(1) of this section shall be a candidate at any primary election for nomination for an elective office for which candidates are nominated at a party primary during the calendar year in which the person files the declaration or during the next calendar year except as a candidate of the party indicated under division (C)(1)(c) of this section.

(3) No person who files a declaration of intent under division (C)(1) of this section shall file another such declaration for a period of ten years after the declaration is filed.

(4) Notwithstanding the seventh paragraph of section 3513.05 of the Revised Code, a person who complies with this section may circulate that person's own petition of candidacy for party nomination at the party primary at which the person seeks nomination under this section.

Section 3513.192 | Forfeiting nomination.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

Any candidate nominated at a party primary election who votes in that primary election as a member of a political party different from the party that nominated the candidate shall forfeit the nomination, and the vacancy so created shall be filled in accordance with section 3513.31 of the Revised Code.

Section 3513.20 | Effect of challenge to voter at primary.

• Effective: May 2, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 3 - 126th General Assembly

Before any challenged person shall be allowed to vote at a primary election, the person shall make a statement, under penalty of election falsification, before one of the precinct officials, blanks for which shall be furnished by the board of elections, giving name, age, residence, length of residence in the precinct, county, and state; stating that the person desires to be affiliated with and supports the principles of the political party whose ballot the person desires to vote; and giving all other facts necessary to determine whether the person is entitled to vote in that primary election. The statement shall be returned to the office of the board with the pollbooks and tally sheets.

If a person challenged refuses to make that statement under penalty of election falsification, the person shall be permitted to vote a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code. If a majority of the precinct officials finds that the statements of a person challenged or the person's voting record or other evidence shows that the person lacks any of the qualifications required to make the person a qualified elector at the primary election or that the person is not affiliated with or is not a member of the political party whose ballot the person desires to vote, the person shall be permitted to vote a provisional ballot under section 3505.181 of the Revised Code.

Last updated May 3, 2021 at 10:53 AM

Section 3513.21 | Counting and return of ballots.

• Effective: February 25, 2014
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly

At the close of the polls in a primary election, the precinct election officials shall proceed without delay to canvass the vote, sign and seal it, and make returns thereof to the board of elections forthwith on the forms to be provided by the board. The provisions of Title XXXV of the Revised Code relating to the accounting for and return of all ballots at general elections apply to primary ballots.

If there is any disagreement as to how a ballot should be counted it shall be submitted to all of the precinct election officials. If three of the precinct election officials do not agree as to how any part of the ballot shall be counted, that part of such ballot which three of the officials do agree shall be counted and a notation made upon the ballot indicating what part has not been counted, and shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose, marked "Disputed Ballots" and returned to the board.

The board shall, on the day when the vote is canvassed, open such sealed envelopes, determine what ballots and for whom they should be counted, and proceed to count and tally the votes on such ballots.

Section 3513.22 | Canvass and certification of votes.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) Not earlier than the fifth day or later than the fifteenth day after a primary election, the board of elections shall begin to canvass the election returns from the precincts in which electors were entitled to vote at that election and shall continue the canvass daily until it is completed.

The board shall complete the canvass not later than the twenty-first day after the day of the election. Eighty-one days after the day of the election, the canvass of election returns shall be deemed final, and no amendments to the canvass may be made after that date. The secretary of state may specify an earlier date upon which the canvass of election returns shall be deemed final, and after which amendments to the final canvass may not be made, if so required by federal law.

(B) The county executive committee of each political party that participated in the election, and each committee designated in a petition to represent the petitioners pursuant to which a question or issue was submitted at the election, may designate a qualified elector who may be present at and may observe the making of the canvass. Each person for whom votes were cast in the election may also be present at and observe the making of the canvass.

(C) When the canvass of the election returns from all of the precincts in the county in which electors were entitled to vote at the election has been completed, the board shall determine and declare the results of the elections determined by the electors of the county or of a district or subdivision within the county. If more than the number of persons to be nominated for or elected to an office received the largest and an equal number of votes, the tie shall be resolved by lot by the chairperson of the board in the presence of a majority of the members of the board. The declaration shall be in writing and shall be signed by at least a majority of the members of the board. It shall bear the date of the day upon which it is made, and a copy of it shall be posted by the board in a conspicuous place in its office. The board shall keep the copy posted for a period of at least five days.

The board shall promptly certify abstracts of the results of the elections within its county upon forms the secretary of state prescribes. One certified copy of each abstract shall be kept in the office of the board, and one certified copy of each abstract shall promptly be sent to the secretary of state. The board shall also promptly send a certified copy of that part of an abstract that pertains to an election in which only electors of a district comprised of more than one county but less than all of the counties of the state voted to the board of the most populous county in the district. It shall also promptly send a certified copy of that part of an abstract that pertains to an election in which only electors of a subdivision located partly within the county voted to the board of the county in which the major portion of the population of the subdivision is located.

If, after certifying and sending abstracts and parts of abstracts, a board finds that any abstract or part of any abstract is incorrect, it shall promptly prepare, certify, and send a corrected abstract or part of an abstract to take the place of each incorrect abstract or part of an abstract previously certified and sent.

(D)(1) When certified copies of abstracts are received by the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall canvass those abstracts and determine and declare the results of all elections in which electors throughout the entire state voted. If more than the number of persons to be nominated for or elected to an office received the largest and an equal number of votes, the tie shall be resolved by lot by the secretary of state in the presence of the governor, the auditor of state, and the attorney general, who at the request of the secretary of state shall assemble to witness the drawing of the lot. The declaration of results by the secretary of state shall be in writing and shall be signed by the secretary of state. It shall bear the date of the day upon which it is made, and a copy of it shall be posted by the secretary of state in a conspicuous place in the secretary of state's office. The secretary of state shall keep the copy posted for a period of at least five days.

(2) When certified copies of parts of abstracts are received by the board of the most populous county in a district from the boards of all of the counties in the district, the board receiving those abstracts shall canvass them and determine and declare the results of the elections in which only electors of the district voted. If more than the number of persons to be nominated for or elected to an office received the largest and equal number of votes, the tie shall be resolved by lot by the chairperson of the board in the presence of a majority of the members of the board. The declaration of results by the board shall be in writing and shall be signed by at least a majority of the members of the board. It shall bear the date of the day upon which it is made, and a copy of it shall be posted by the board in a conspicuous place in its office. The board shall keep the copy posted for a period of at least five days.

(3) When certified copies of parts of abstracts are received by the board of a county in which the major portion of the population of a subdivision located in more than one county is located from the boards of each county in which other portions of that subdivision are located, the board receiving those abstracts shall canvass them and determine and declare the results of the elections in which only electors of that subdivision voted. If more than the number of persons to be nominated for or elected to an office received the largest and an equal number of votes, the tie shall be resolved by lot by the chairperson of the board in the presence of a majority of the members of the board. The declaration of results by the board shall be in writing and shall be signed by at least a majority of the members of the board. It shall bear the date of the day upon which it is made, and a copy of it shall be posted by the board in a conspicuous place in its office. The board shall keep the copy posted for a period of at least five days.

(E) Election officials, who are required to declare the results of primary elections, shall issue to each person declared nominated for or elected to an office, an appropriate certificate of nomination or election, provided that the boards required to determine and declare the results of the elections for candidates for nomination to the office of representative to congress from a congressional district shall, in lieu of issuing a certificate of nomination, certify to the secretary of state the names of the candidates nominated, and the secretary of state, upon receipt of that certification, shall issue a certificate of nomination to each person whose name is so certified. Certificates of nomination or election issued by boards to candidates and certifications to the secretary of state shall not be issued before the expiration of the time within which applications for recounts of votes may be filed or before recounts of votes, which have been applied for, are completed.

Last updated September 6, 2023 at 11:19 AM

Section 3513.23 | Write-in votes.

• Effective: December 23, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 445 - 124th General Assembly

(A) If an elector voting at a primary election writes in a blank space provided for that purpose on the ballot of one political party under the title of an office for which a nomination is to be made the name of a person other than the persons whose names are printed on the ballot as candidates for the nomination, and if that elector records the vote in the manner provided on the ballot next to the name written, that ballot shall be counted as a vote for the nomination of the person whose name is so written if that person has filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate under section 3513.041 of the Revised Code.

(B) In no event shall a person whose name is written on a primary election ballot be nominated as a candidate for election to an office if the name of no person living on the day of that primary election is printed on the ballot as a candidate for that nomination, unless the total number of votes cast for the person whose name is written on the ballot is not less than that number of petition signatures that would have been required for the printing of the person's name on the primary ballot pursuant to section 3513.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 3513.24 | Canvass of votes for members of party committees.

• Effective: April 5, 1976
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1165 - 111th General Assembly

When members of party committees are elected at a primary election, the returns shall be made and canvassed in the same manner as for the election of state, district, and county offices. The election authorities shall issue and deliver to each person who is elected a certificate of his election. A list of such party committeemen who are chosen shall be filed and kept in the office of the secretary of state and the board of elections for a period of two years.

Section 3513.251 | Nomination for officers of municipal corporation.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

Nominations of candidates for election as officers of a municipal corporation having a population of less than two thousand as ascertained by the next preceding federal census shall be made only by nominating petition and their election shall occur only in nonpartisan elections, unless a majority of the electors of such municipal corporation have petitioned for a primary election. Nominations of candidates for election as officers of a municipal corporation having a population of two thousand or more shall be made either by primary election in conjunction with a partisan general election or by nominating petition in conjunction with a nonpartisan general election, as determined under section 3513.01 of the Revised Code.

The nominating petitions of nonpartisan candidates for election as officers of a municipal corporation having a population of less than two thousand, as ascertained by the most recent federal census, shall be signed by not less than ten qualified electors of the municipal corporation. Any nominating petition filed under this section shall be filed with the board of elections not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the general election, provided that no such nominating petition shall be accepted for filing if it appears to contain signatures aggregating in number more than three times the minimum number of signatures required by this section. A board of elections shall not accept for filing a nominating petition of a person if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or has become a candidate through party nomination at a primary election or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code for any other municipal office, or for a township office, for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center. When a petition of a candidate has been accepted for filing by a board of elections, the petition shall not be deemed invalid if, upon verification of signatures contained in the petition, the board of elections finds the number of signatures accepted exceeds three times the minimum number of signatures required. A board of elections may discontinue verifying signatures when the number of verified signatures on a petition equals the minimum required number of qualified signatures.

Nomination of nonpartisan candidates for election as officers of a municipal corporation having a population of two thousand or more, as ascertained by the next preceding federal census, shall be made only by nominating petition. Nominating petitions of nonpartisan candidates for election as officers of a municipal corporation having a population of two thousand or more but less than five thousand, as ascertained by the next preceding federal census, shall be signed by not less than fifty qualified electors of the municipal corporation or ward thereof in the case of the nominating petition of a candidate for election as councilperson from such ward. Nominating petitions of nonpartisan candidates for election as officers of a municipal corporation having a population of five thousand or more, as ascertained by the next preceding federal census, shall be signed by not less than fifty qualified electors of the municipal corporation or ward thereof in the case of the nominating petition of a candidate for election as councilperson from such ward.

Section 3513.253 | Nomination for officers of township.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

Nominations of candidates for election as officers of a township shall be made only by nominating petitions, unless a majority of the electors of such township have petitioned for a primary election. The nominating petitions of nonpartisan candidates for township trustee and township fiscal officer shall be signed by not less than twenty-five qualified electors of the township. Such petition shall be filed with the board of elections not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the general election, provided that no such nominating petition shall be accepted for filing if it appears to contain signatures aggregating in number more than three times the minimum number of signatures required by this section. A board of elections shall not accept for filing a nominating petition of a person if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or has become a candidate through party nomination at a primary election or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code for any other township office, or for a municipal office, for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center. When a petition of a candidate has been accepted for filing by a board of elections, the petition shall not be deemed invalid if, upon verification of signatures contained in the petition, the board of elections finds the number of signatures accepted exceeds three times the minimum number of signatures required. A board of elections may discontinue verifying signatures when the number of verified signatures on a petition equals the minimum required number of qualified signatures.

Section 3513.254 | Nomination for members of board of education.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

(A) The name of each candidate for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education shall appear on the nonpartisan ballot. Nominating petitions of candidates for member of a board of education of a local or exempted village school district shall be signed by twenty-five qualified electors of the school district. Nominating petitions for candidates for member of a board of education of a city school district having a population of less than twenty thousand, as ascertained by the next preceding federal census, shall be signed by twenty-five qualified electors of the school district. Nominating petitions for candidates for member of a board of education of a city school district having a population of twenty thousand or more but less than fifty thousand, as ascertained by the next preceding federal census, shall be signed by seventy-five qualified electors of the school district. Nominating petitions for candidates for member of a board of education of a city school district having a population of fifty thousand or more but less than one hundred thousand, as ascertained by the next preceding federal census, shall be signed by one hundred fifty qualified electors of the school district. Nominating petitions for candidates for member of a board of education of a city school district having a population of one hundred thousand or more, as ascertained by the next preceding federal census, shall be signed by three hundred qualified electors of the school district.

(B) Nominating petitions shall be filed with the board of elections not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the general election, provided that no such petition shall be accepted for filing if it appears to contain signatures aggregating in number more than three times the minimum number of signatures required by this section. A board of elections shall not accept for filing a nominating petition of a person if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or has become a candidate through party nomination at a primary election or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code for any other position as a member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education or position as a member of a governing board of an educational service center, or for a municipal or township office. When a petition of a candidate has been accepted for filing by a board of elections, the petition shall not be deemed invalid if, upon verification of signatures contained in the petition, the board of elections finds the number of signatures accepted exceeds three times the minimum number of signatures required. A board of elections may discontinue verifying petitions when the number of verified signatures equals the minimum required number of qualified signatures.

(C) This section is subject to section 3513.256 of the Revised Code.

Section 3513.255 | Petitions for member of governing board of educational service center.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

This section is subject to section 3513.256 of the Revised Code. The name of each candidate for election as a member of a governing board of an educational service center shall appear on the nonpartisan ballot. Each nominating petition shall be signed by fifty qualified electors who reside in one of the following, as applicable:

(A) The school districts over which the educational service center governing board has jurisdiction, in the case of any candidate running for a position on any educational service center governing board other than a governing board established in accordance with section 3311.054 of the Revised Code;

(B) The subdistrict in which the candidate is running, in the case of a position on a governing board of an educational service center established in accordance with section 3311.054 of the Revised Code.

Each nominating petition shall be filed with the board of elections of the county in which the central administrative offices of the educational service center governing board are located not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the general election, provided that no such petition shall be accepted for filing if it appears to contain signatures aggregating in number more than three times the minimum number of signatures required by this section. A board of elections shall not accept for filing a nominating petition of a person if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or has become a candidate through party nomination at a primary election or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code for any other position as a member of a governing board of an educational service center or position as a member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for a municipal or township office. When a petition of a candidate has been accepted for filing by a board of elections, the petition shall not be deemed invalid if, upon verification of signatures contained in the petition, the board of elections finds the number of signatures accepted exceeds three times the minimum signatures required. A board of elections may discontinue verifying petitions when the number of verified signatures equals the minimum required number of qualified signatures.

Section 3513.256 | Procedures for a nonpartisan primary election.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

(A) Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, for the purpose of nominating candidates for a position as a member of the board of education of a city, local, or exempted village school district or a position as a member of a governing board of an educational service center, the board may adopt, by resolution upon a three-fifths majority vote of its total membership, procedures for a nonpartisan primary election. Such procedures shall specify the following:

(1) That the primary election for nominating candidates for a position as a member of that board shall be held on the same day as the primary election for nominating all other candidates for public office in that year;

(2) That nominating petitions shall be filed with the board of elections not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the primary election;

(3) That the primary election shall take place only if the number of candidates for nomination for a position on that board, as verified by the board of elections, is at least one more than two times the number of available positions on that board at the general election;

(4) That the number of candidates advancing from the primary election to the general election shall equal two times the number of available positions on that board at the general election.

The board shall notify the board of elections upon adoption of a resolution under this division. No such resolution shall apply for a particular election unless the resolution is adopted at least one hundred twenty days prior to the deadline specified in the resolution to become a candidate for nomination at that election. Subject to division (B) of this section, the resolution shall apply to all subsequent nominations for a position as a member of that board.

(B) Not earlier than five years after the adoption of a resolution under division (A) of this section, the board of education of a city, local, or exempted village school district or the governing board of an educational service center may rescind that resolution by subsequent resolution upon a three-fifths majority vote of its total membership.

The board shall notify the board of elections of any resolution adopted under this division. No such resolution shall apply to a particular election unless the resolution is adopted at least one hundred twenty days prior to the deadline to become a candidate for nomination at that election under the nomination procedures the resolution is rescinding. Subject to division (D) of this section, the requirements of Chapter 3513. of the Revised Code shall apply to all subsequent nominations for a position as a member of that board.

(C) Any candidate nominated pursuant to a resolution adopted under division (A) of this section shall appear on the nonpartisan ballot at the general election as prescribed in sections 3505.04, 3513.254, and 3513.255 of the Revised Code.

(D) Nothing in this section prohibits or shall be construed to prohibit the board of education of a city, local, or exempted village school district or the governing board of an educational service center that has rescinded a resolution under division (B) of this section from subsequently adopting the same or different procedures for a nonpartisan primary election by adopting a resolution under division (A) of this section.

Section 3513.257 | Independent candidates statements of candidacy and nominating petitions.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 80 - 134th General Assembly

Each person desiring to become an independent candidate for an office for which candidates may be nominated at a primary election, except persons desiring to become independent joint candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor and for the offices of president and vice-president of the United States, shall file no later than four p.m. of the day before the day of the primary election immediately preceding the general election at which such candidacy is to be voted for by the voters, a statement of candidacy and nominating petition as provided in section 3513.261 of the Revised Code. Persons desiring to become independent joint candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor shall file, not later than four p.m. of the day before the day of the primary election, one statement of candidacy and one nominating petition for the two of them. Persons desiring to become independent joint candidates for the offices of president and vice-president of the United States shall file, not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the general election at which the president and vice-president are to be elected, one statement of candidacy and one nominating petition for the two of them. The prospective independent joint candidates' statement of candidacy shall be filed with the nominating petition as one instrument.

The statement of candidacy and separate petition papers of each candidate or pair of joint candidates shall be filed at the same time as one instrument.

The nominating petition shall contain signatures of qualified electors of the district, political subdivision, or portion of a political subdivision in which the candidacy is to be voted on in an amount to be determined as follows:

(A) If the candidacy is to be voted on by electors throughout the entire state, the nominating petition, including the nominating petition of independent joint candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, shall be signed by no less than five thousand qualified electors, provided that no petition shall be accepted for filing if it purports to contain more than fifteen thousand signatures.

(B) If the candidacy is to be voted on by electors in any district, political subdivision, or part thereof in which less than five thousand electors voted for the office of governor at the most recent election for that office, the nominating petition shall contain signatures of not less than twenty-five qualified electors of the district, political subdivision, or part thereof, or a number of qualified signatures equal to at least five per cent of that vote, if this number is less than twenty-five.

(C) If the candidacy is to be voted on by electors in any district, political subdivision, or part thereof in which five thousand or more electors voted for the office of governor at the most recent election for that office, the nominating petition shall contain a number of signatures equal to at least one per cent of those electors.

All nominating petitions of candidates for offices to be voted on by electors throughout the entire state shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state. No nominating petition for the offices of president and vice-president of the United States shall be accepted for filing unless there is submitted to the secretary of state, at the time of filing the petition, a slate of presidential electors sufficient in number to satisfy the requirement of the United States Constitution. The secretary of state shall not accept for filing the statement of candidacy of a person who desires to be an independent candidate for the office of governor unless it also shows the joint candidacy of a person who desires to be an independent candidate for the office of lieutenant governor, shall not accept for filing the statement of candidacy of a person who desires to be an independent candidate for the office of lieutenant governor unless it also shows the joint candidacy of a person who desires to be an independent candidate for the office of governor, and shall not accept for filing the statement of candidacy of a person who desires to be an independent candidate to the office of governor or lieutenant governor who, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a statement of candidacy, or has become a candidate by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code for any other state office or any federal or county office.

Nominating petitions of candidates for offices to be voted on by electors within a district or political subdivision comprised of more than one county but less than all counties of the state shall be filed with the boards of elections of that county or part of a county within the district or political subdivision which had a population greater than that of any other county or part of a county within the district or political subdivision according to the last federal decennial census.

Nominating petitions for offices to be voted on by electors within a county or district smaller than a county shall be filed with the board of elections for such county.

No petition other than the petition of a candidate whose candidacy is to be considered by electors throughout the entire state shall be accepted for filing if it appears on its face to contain more than three times the minimum required number of signatures. A board of elections shall not accept for filing a nominating petition of a person seeking to become a candidate if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or has become a candidate by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 of the Revised Code for any federal, state, or county office, if the nominating petition is for a state or county office, or for any municipal or township office, for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center, if the nominating petition is for a municipal or township office, or for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center. When a petition of a candidate has been accepted for filing by a board of elections, the petition shall not be deemed invalid if, upon verification of signatures contained in the petition, the board of elections finds the number of signatures accepted exceeds three times the minimum number of signatures required. A board of elections may discontinue verifying signatures when the number of verified signatures on a petition equals the minimum required number of qualified signatures.

Any candidate, other than a candidate for judge of a municipal court, county court, or court of common pleas, who files a nominating petition may request, at the time of filing, that the candidate be designated on the ballot as a nonparty candidate or as an other-party candidate, or may request that the candidate's name be placed on the ballot without any designation. Any such candidate who fails to request a designation either as a nonparty candidate or as an other-party candidate shall have the candidate's name placed on the ballot without any designation.

The purpose of establishing a filing deadline for independent candidates prior to the primary election immediately preceding the general election at which the candidacy is to be voted on by the voters is to recognize that the state has a substantial and compelling interest in protecting its electoral process by encouraging political stability, ensuring that the winner of the election will represent a majority of the community, providing the electorate with an understandable ballot, and enhancing voter education, thus fostering informed and educated expressions of the popular will in a general election. The filing deadline for independent candidates required in this section prevents splintered parties and unrestrained factionalism, avoids political fragmentation, and maintains the integrity of the ballot. The deadline, one day prior to the primary election, is the least drastic or restrictive means of protecting these state interests. The general assembly finds that the filing deadline for independent candidates in primary elections required in this section is reasonably related to the state's purpose of ensuring fair and honest elections while leaving unimpaired the political, voting, and associational rights secured by the first and fourteenth amendments to the United States Constitution.

Last updated July 14, 2021 at 11:10 AM

Section 3513.259 | Nomination for member of the state board of education.

• Effective: July 2, 2010
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly

Nominations of candidates for the office of member of the state board of education shall be made only by nominating petition. The nominating petition of a candidate for the office of member of the state board of education shall be signed by not less than one hundred qualified electors.

No such nominating petition shall be accepted for filing if it appears on its face to contain signatures aggregating in number more than three times the minimum number of signatures required by this section. A board of elections shall not accept for filing a nominating petition of a person if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or has become a candidate through party nomination at a primary election or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code, to be a candidate for any other state office or any federal or county office. When a petition of a candidate has been accepted for filing by a board of elections, the petition shall not be deemed invalid if, upon verification of signatures contained in the petition, the board of elections finds the number of signatures accepted exceeds three times the minimum number of signatures required. A board of elections may discontinue verifying signatures when the number of verified signatures equals the minimum required number of signatures. Such petition shall be filed with the board of elections of the most populous county in such district not later than four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the general election at which state board of education members are elected.

Each nominating petition shall be signed by qualified electors residing in the district in which the candidate designated therein would be a candidate for election to the office of member of the state board of education. Each candidate shall be a qualified elector residing in the district in which the candidate seeks election to such office.

As the word "district" is used in this section, it refers to a district created under section 3301.01 of the Revised Code.

Section 3513.261 | Nominating petition form and fee.

• Effective: June 1, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 3 - 126th General Assembly

A nominating petition may consist of one or more separate petition papers, each of which shall be substantially in the form prescribed in this section. If the petition consists of more than one separate petition paper, the statement of candidacy of the candidate or joint candidates named need be signed by the candidate or joint candidates on only one of such separate petition papers, but the statement of candidacy so signed shall be copied on each other separate petition paper before the signatures of electors are placed on it. Each nominating petition containing signatures of electors of more than one county shall consist of separate petition papers each of which shall contain signatures of electors of only one county; provided that petitions containing signatures of electors of more than one county shall not thereby be declared invalid. In case petitions containing signatures of electors of more than one county are filed, the board of elections shall determine the county from which the majority of the signatures came, and only signatures from this county shall be counted. Signatures from any other county shall be invalid.

All signatures on nominating petitions shall be written in ink or indelible pencil.

At the time of filing a nominating petition, the candidate designated in the nominating petition, and joint candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, shall pay to the election officials with whom it is filed the fees specified for the office under divisions (A) and (B) of section 3513.10 of the Revised Code. The fees shall be disposed of by those election officials in the manner that is provided in section 3513.10 of the Revised Code for the disposition of other fees, and in no case shall a fee required under that section be returned to a candidate.

Candidates or joint candidates whose names are written on the ballot, and who are elected, shall pay the same fees under section 3513.10 of the Revised Code that candidates who file nominating petitions pay. Payment of these fees shall be a condition precedent to the granting of their certificates of election.

Each nominating petition shall contain a statement of candidacy that shall be signed by the candidate or joint candidates named in it or by an attorney in fact acting pursuant to section 3501.382 of the Revised Code. Such statement of candidacy shall contain a declaration made under penalty of election falsification that the candidate desires to be a candidate for the office named in it, and that the candidate is an elector qualified to vote for the office the candidate seeks.

The form of the nominating petition and statement of candidacy shall be substantially as follows:

"STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY

I, ___________________________________ (Name of candidate), the undersigned, hereby declare under penalty of election falsification that my voting residence is in ________________ __________ Precinct of the _________________________ (Township) or (Ward and City, or Village) in the county of _______________ Ohio; that my post-office address is ____________________________ (Street and Number, if any, or Rural Route and Number) of the _______________________________ (City, Village, or post office) of ____________________, Ohio; and that I am a qualified elector in the precinct in which my voting residence is located. I hereby declare that I desire to be a candidate for election to the office of ______________ in the ________________________ (State, District, County, City, Village, Township, or School District) for the ______________________________________ (Full term or unexpired term ending ________________) at the General Election to be held on the ___________ day of ___________, ____

I further declare that I am an elector qualified to vote for the office I seek. Dated this _______ day of ______________, ____

___________________________

(Signature of candidate)

WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE.

I, _________________________________, hereby constitute the persons named below a committee to represent me:

Name Residence

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

NOMINATING PETITION

We, the undersigned, qualified electors of the state of Ohio, whose voting residence is in the County, City, Village, Ward, Township or Precinct set opposite our names, hereby nominate ____________________ as a candidate for election to the office of ___________________________ in the ____________________________ (State, District, County, City, Village, Township, or School District) for the _________________ (Full term or unexpired term ending ___________________) to be voted for at the general election next hereafter to be held, and certify that this person is, in our opinion, well qualified to perform the duties of the office or position to which the person desires to be elected.

	Street
	Address
	or R.F.D.
	(Must use
	address on	City,
	file with	Village
	the board of	or				Date of
Signature	elections)	Township	Ward	Precinct	County	Signing

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

___________________________, declares under penalty of election falsification that such person is a qualified elector of the state of Ohio and resides at the address appearing below such person's signature hereto; that such person is the circulator of the foregoing petition paper containing ________________ signatures; that such person witnessed the affixing of every signature; that all signers were to the best of such person's knowledge and belief qualified to sign; and that every signature is to the best of such person's knowledge and belief the signature of the person whose signature it purports to be or of an attorney in fact acting pursuant to section 3501.382 of the Revised Code.

___________________________

(Signature of circulator)

___________________________

(Address of circulator's

permanent residence

in this state)

___________________________

(If petition is for a statewide

candidate, the name and address

of person employing circulator

to circulate petition, if any)

WHOEVER COMMITS ELECTION FALSIFICATION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY OF THE FIFTH DEGREE."

The secretary of state shall prescribe a form of nominating petition for a group of candidates for the office of member of a board of education, township office, and offices of municipal corporations of under two thousand population.

The secretary of state shall prescribe a form of statement of candidacy and nominating petition, which shall be substantially similar to the form of statement of candidacy and nominating petition set forth in this section, that will be suitable for joint candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor.

If such petition nominates a candidate whose election is to be determined by the electors of a county or a district or subdivision within the county, it shall be filed with the board of such county. If the petition nominates a candidate whose election is to be determined by the voters of a subdivision located in more than one county, it shall be filed with the board of the county in which the major portion of the population of such subdivision is located.

If the petition nominates a candidate whose election is to be determined by the electors of a district comprised of more than one county but less than all of the counties of the state, it shall be filed with the board of elections of the most populous county in such district. If the petition nominates a candidate whose election is to be determined by the electors of the state at large, it shall be filed with the secretary of state.

The secretary of state or a board of elections shall not accept for filing a nominating petition of a person seeking to become a candidate if that person, for the same election, has already filed a declaration of candidacy, a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, or a nominating petition, or has become a candidate through party nomination at a primary election or by the filling of a vacancy under section 3513.30 or 3513.31 of the Revised Code for any federal, state, or county office, if the nominating petition is for a state or county office, or for any municipal or township office, for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center, if the nominating petition is for a municipal or township office, or for member of a city, local, or exempted village board of education, or for member of a governing board of an educational service center.

Section 3513.262 | Filing deadline for nominating petitions.

• Effective: June 21, 2013
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 47 - 130th General Assembly

The nominating petitions of all candidates required to be filed before four p.m. of the day before the day of the primary election immediately preceding the general election shall be processed as follows:

If such petition is filed with the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall, not later than the fifteenth day of June following the filing of such petition, or if the primary election was a presidential primary election, not later than the end of the sixth week after the day of that election, transmit to each board such separate petition papers as purport to contain signatures of electors of the county of such board. If such petition is filed with the board of the most populous county of a district or of a county in which the major portion of the population of a subdivision is located, such board shall, not later than the fifteenth day of June, or if the primary election was a presidential primary election, not later than the end of the sixth week after the day of that election, transmit to each board within such district such separate petition papers of the petition as purport to contain signatures of electors of the county of such board.

All petition papers so transmitted to a board and all nominating petitions filed with a board shall, under proper regulations, be open to public inspection from the fifteenth day of June until four p.m. of the thirtieth day of that month, or if the primary election was a presidential primary election, from the end of the sixth week after the election until four p.m. of the end of the seventh week after the election. Each board shall, not later than the next fifteenth day of July, or if the primary election was a presidential primary election, not later than the end of the tenth week after the day of that election, examine and determine the sufficiency of the signatures on the petition papers transmitted to or filed with it, and the validity of the petitions filed with it, and shall return to the secretary of state all petition papers transmitted to it by the secretary of state, together with its certification of its determination as to the validity or invalidity of signatures thereon, and shall return to each other board all petition papers transmitted to it by such other board, as provided in this section, together with its certification of its determination as to the validity or invalidity of signatures thereon. A signature on a nominating petition is not valid if it is dated more than one year before the date the nominating petition was filed. All other matters affecting the validity or invalidity of such petition papers shall be determined by the secretary of state or the board with whom such petition papers were filed.

Written protests against nominating petitions may be filed by any qualified elector eligible to vote for the candidate whose nominating petition the elector objects to, not later than four p.m. of the thirtieth day of July, or if the primary election was a presidential primary election, not later than the end of the twelfth week after the day of that election. Such protests shall be filed with the election officials with whom the nominating petition was filed. Upon the filing of such protest, the election officials with whom it is filed shall promptly fix the time and place for hearing it, and shall forthwith mail notice of the filing of such protest and the time and place for hearing it to the person whose nomination is protested. They shall also forthwith mail notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing to the person who filed the protest. At the time fixed, such election officials shall hear the protest and determine the validity or invalidity of the petition. Such determination shall be final.

A protest against the nominating petition filed by joint candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor shall be filed, heard, and determined in the same manner as a protest against the nominating petition of a candidate who files individually.

Section 3513.263 | Processing nominating petitions.

• Effective: June 21, 2013
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 47 - 130th General Assembly

The nominating petitions of all candidates required to be filed before four p.m. of the ninetieth day before the day of the general election, shall be processed as follows:

If such petition is filed with the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall promptly transmit to each board such separate petition papers as purports to contain signatures of electors of the county of such board.

If such petition is filed with the board of a county in which the major portion of the population of a subdivision is located, such board shall promptly transmit to the board of each county in which other portions of such subdivision are located such separate petition papers of the petition as purport to contain signatures of electors of such county.

All petition papers so transmitted to a board of elections, and all nominating petitions filed with a board of elections shall, under proper regulation, be open to public inspection until four p.m. of the eightieth day before the day of such general election. Each board shall, not later than the seventy-eighth day before the day of such general election examine and determine the sufficiency of the signatures on the petition papers transmitted to or filed with it and the validity or invalidity of petitions filed with it, and shall return to each other board all petition papers transmitted to it by such other board, together with its certification of its determination as to the validity or invalidity of signatures thereon. A signature on a nominating petition is not valid if it is dated more than one year before the date the nominating petition was filed. All other matters affecting the validity or invalidity of such petition papers shall be determined by the board with whom such petition papers were filed.

Written protests against such nominating petitions may be filed by any qualified elector eligible to vote for the candidate whose nominating petition the elector objects to, not later than the seventy-fourth day before the general election. Such protests shall be filed with the election officials with whom the nominating petition was filed. Upon the filing of such protests, the election officials with whom it is filed shall promptly fix the time and place for hearing it, and shall forthwith mail notice of the filing of such protest and the time and place for hearing it to the person whose nomination is protested. They shall also forthwith mail notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing to the person who filed the protest. At the time and place fixed, such election officials shall hear the protest and determine the validity or invalidity of the petition. Such determination shall be final.

Section 3513.271 | Name change within five years immediately preceding filing of statement of candidacy.

• Effective: August 22, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly

If any person desiring to become a candidate for public office has had a change of name within five years immediately preceding the filing of his statement of candidacy, both his statement of candidacy and nominating petition must contain, immediately following the person's present name, the person's former names. Any person who has been elected under the person's changed name, without submission of the person's former name, shall be immediately suspended from the office and the office declared vacated, and shall be liable to the state for any salary the person has received while holding such office. The attorney general in the case of candidates for state offices, the prosecuting attorney of the most populous county in a district in the case of candidates for district offices, and the prosecuting attorney of the county in the case of all other candidates shall institute necessary action to enforce this section.

This section does not apply to a change of name by reason of marriage; to a candidate for a state office who has once complied with this section and who has previously been elected to a state office; to a candidate for a district office who has once complied with this section and who has previously been elected to a state or district office; to a candidate for a county office who has once complied with this section and has previously been elected to a state, district, or county office; to a candidate for a municipal office who has once complied with this section and has previously been elected to a municipal office; or to a candidate for a township office who has once complied with this section and has previously been elected to a township office; provided that such previous election was one at which his candidacy complied with this section.

Section 3513.28 | Designation of term.

• Effective: March 23, 1981
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1062 - 113th General Assembly

Each independent candidate for election to the office of judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, court of common pleas, probate court, and such other courts as are established by law, in addition to designating in such nominating petition the office to which he seeks such nomination shall, if two or more judges of the same court are to be elected at any one election, designate the term of the office for election to which he seeks such nomination by stating therein, if a full term, the date of the commencement of such term as follows: "Full term commencing ____________________________(Date) ___________________________," or by stating therein, if an unexpired term, the date on which such unexpired term will end as follows: "Unexpired term ending ____________________________ (Date) __________________________," and such candidate shall be nominated only for the term so designated.

Each independent candidate for the unexpired term of any office shall designate in his statement of candidacy the date on which such unexpired term will end.

Section 3513.30 | Death or withdrawal of candidate before primary election.

• Effective: June 21, 2013
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 47 - 130th General Assembly

(A)(1) If only one valid declaration of candidacy is filed for nomination as a candidate of a political party for an office and that candidate dies prior to the tenth day before the primary election, both of the following may occur:

(a) The political party whose candidate died may fill the vacancy so created as provided in division (A)(2) of this section.

(b) Any major political party other than the one whose candidate died may select a candidate as provided in division (A)(2) of this section under either of the following circumstances:

(i) No person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy for nomination as that party's candidate at the primary election.

(ii) Only one person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy for nomination as that party's candidate at the primary election, that person has withdrawn, died, or been disqualified under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code, and the vacancy so created has not been filled.

(2) A vacancy may be filled under division (A)(1)(a) and a selection may be made under division (A)(1)(b) of this section by the appropriate committee of the political party in the same manner as provided in divisions (A) to (E) of section 3513.31 of the Revised Code for the filling of similar vacancies created by withdrawals or disqualifications under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code after the primary election, except that the certification required under that section may not be filed with the secretary of state, or with a board of the most populous county of a district, or with the board of a county in which the major portion of the population of a subdivision is located, later than four p.m. of the tenth day before the day of such primary election, or with any other board later than four p.m. of the fifth day before the day of such primary election.

(3) If only one valid declaration of candidacy is filed for nomination as a candidate of a political party for an office and that candidate dies on or after the tenth day before the day of the primary election, that candidate is considered to have received the nomination of that candidate's political party at that primary election, and, for purposes of filling the vacancy so created, that candidate's death shall be treated as if that candidate died on the day after the day of the primary election.

(B) Any person filing a declaration of candidacy may withdraw as such candidate at any time prior to the primary election. The withdrawal shall be effected and the statement of withdrawal shall be filed in accordance with the procedures prescribed in division (D) of this section for the withdrawal of persons nominated in a primary election or by nominating petition.

(C) A person who is the first choice for president of the United States by a candidate for delegate or alternate to a national convention of a political party may withdraw consent for the selection of the person as such first choice no later than four p.m. of the fortieth day before the day of the presidential primary election. Withdrawal of consent shall be for the entire slate of candidates for delegates and alternates who named such person as their presidential first choice and shall constitute withdrawal from the primary election by such delegates and alternates. The withdrawal shall be made in writing and delivered to the secretary of state. If the withdrawal is delivered to the secretary of state on or before the seventieth day before the day of the primary election, the boards of elections shall remove both the name of the withdrawn first choice and the names of such withdrawn candidates from the ballots according to the directions of the secretary of state. If the withdrawal is delivered to the secretary of state after the seventieth day before the day of the primary election, the board of elections shall not remove the name of the withdrawn first choice and the names of the withdrawn candidates from the ballots. The board of elections shall post a notice at each polling location on the day of the primary election, and shall enclose with each absent voter's ballot given or mailed after the candidate withdraws, a notice that votes for the withdrawn first choice or the withdrawn candidates will be void and will not be counted. If such names are not removed from all ballots before the day of the election, the votes for the withdrawn first choice or the withdrawn candidates are void and shall not be counted.

(D) Any person nominated in a primary election or by nominating petition as a candidate for election at the next general election may withdraw as such candidate at any time prior to the general election. Such withdrawal may be effected by the filing of a written statement by such candidate announcing the candidate's withdrawal and requesting that the candidate's name not be printed on the ballots. If such candidate's declaration of candidacy or nominating petition was filed with the secretary of state, the candidate's statement of withdrawal shall be addressed to and filed with the secretary of state. If such candidate's declaration of candidacy or nominating petition was filed with a board of elections, the candidate's statement of withdrawal shall be addressed to and filed with such board.

(E) When a person withdraws under division (B) or (D) of this section on or before the seventieth day before the day of the primary election or the general election, the board of elections shall remove the name of the withdrawn candidate from the ballots according to the directions of the secretary of state. When a person withdraws under division (B) or (D) of this section after the seventieth day before the day of the primary election or the general election, the board of elections shall not remove the name of the withdrawn candidate from the ballots. The board of elections shall post a notice at each polling place on the day of the election, and shall enclose with each absent voter's ballot given or mailed after the candidate withdraws, a notice that votes for the withdrawn candidate will be void and will not be counted. If the name is not removed from all ballots before the day of the election, the votes for the withdrawn candidate are void and shall not be counted.

Section 3513.301 | Special election of party candidate for Congress.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 18 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Notwithstanding section 3513.30 of the Revised Code and except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of this section, if only one person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy for nomination as the candidate of a political party for the office of representative to congress and that person withdraws as a candidate or dies at any time before the primary election, a special election shall be held under division (B) (1) of this section as soon as reasonably practicable to nominate the following:

(1) That party's candidate for congress;

(2) The candidate for congress of any other major political party under either of the following circumstances:

(a) No person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy for nomination as that party's candidate at the primary election.

(b) Only one person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy for nomination as that party's candidate at the primary election, that person has withdrawn or died, and the vacancy so created has not been filled.

(B) (1) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) (2) of this section, the boards of elections of all the counties contained in whole or in part within the congressional district for which a special election is being held under this section shall conduct the special election on a date designated by the secretary of state and give notice of the time and places of holding the election as provided in section 3501.03 of the Revised Code. The election shall be held and conducted and returns of it made as in the case of a primary election, except that the secretary of state shall designate the deadline to file a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for the election.

(2) If, for each nomination to be made at the special election to be held under division (B)(1) of this section, only one person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy or no person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy, then no special election shall be held. If no special election is held, then for each nomination for which only one person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy, the secretary of state, upon receiving certification of that fact from the board of elections of the most populous county of the congressional district, shall issue a certificate of nomination to the person and the person's name shall appear on the ballot as that party's candidate at the general election.

(C) The state shall pay all costs of any special election held under this section.

Section 3513.31 | Withdrawal, disqualification, or death of candidate prior to general election.

• Effective: February 5, 2014
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 193 - 130th General Assembly

(A) If a person nominated in a primary election as a candidate for election at the next general election, whose candidacy is to be submitted to the electors of the entire state, withdraws as that candidate or is disqualified as that candidate under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code, the vacancy in the party nomination so created may be filled by the state central committee of the major political party that made the nomination at the primary election, if the committee's chairperson and secretary certify the name of the person selected to fill the vacancy by the time specified in this division, at a meeting called for that purpose. The meeting shall be called by the chairperson of that committee, who shall give each member of the committee at least two days' notice of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting. If a majority of the members of the committee are present at the meeting, a majority of those present may select a person to fill the vacancy. The chairperson and secretary of the meeting shall certify in writing and under oath to the secretary of state, not later than the eighty-sixth day before the day of the general election, the name of the person selected to fill the vacancy. The certification must be accompanied by the written acceptance of the nomination by the person whose name is certified. A vacancy in a party nomination that may be filled by a minor political party shall be filled in accordance with the party's rules by authorized officials of the party. Certification must be made as in the manner provided for a major political party.

(B) If a person nominated in a primary election as a party candidate for election at the next general election, whose candidacy is to be submitted to the electors of a district comprised of more than one county but less than all of the counties of the state, withdraws as that candidate or is disqualified as that candidate under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code, the vacancy in the party nomination so created may be filled by a district committee of the major political party that made the nomination at the primary election, if the committee's chairperson and secretary certify the name of the person selected to fill the vacancy by the time specified in this division, at a meeting called for that purpose. The district committee shall consist of the chairperson and secretary of the county central committee of such political party in each county in the district. The district committee shall be called by the chairperson of the county central committee of such political party of the most populous county in the district, who shall give each member of the district committee at least two days' notice of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting. If a majority of the members of the district committee are present at the district committee meeting, a majority of those present may select a person to fill the vacancy. The chairperson and secretary of the meeting shall certify in writing and under oath to the board of elections of the most populous county in the district, not later than four p.m. of the eighty-sixth day before the day of the general election, the name of the person selected to fill the vacancy. The certification must be accompanied by the written acceptance of the nomination by the person whose name is certified. A vacancy in a party nomination that may be filled by a minor political party shall be filled in accordance with the party's rules by authorized officials of the party. Certification must be made as in the manner provided for a major political party.

(C) If a person nominated in a primary election as a party candidate for election at the next general election, whose candidacy is to be submitted to the electors of a county, withdraws as that candidate or is disqualified as that candidate under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code, the vacancy in the party nomination so created may be filled by the county central committee of the major political party that made the nomination at the primary election, or by the county executive committee if so authorized, if the committee's chairperson and secretary certify the name of the person selected to fill the vacancy by the time specified in this division, at a meeting called for that purpose. The meeting shall be called by the chairperson of that committee, who shall give each member of the committee at least two days' notice of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting. If a majority of the members of the committee are present at the meeting, a majority of those present may select a person to fill the vacancy. The chairperson and secretary of the meeting shall certify in writing and under oath to the board of that county, not later than four p.m. of the eighty-sixth day before the day of the general election, the name of the person selected to fill the vacancy. The certification must be accompanied by the written acceptance of the nomination by the person whose name is certified. A vacancy in a party nomination that may be filled by a minor political party shall be filled in accordance with the party's rules by authorized officials of the party. Certification must be made as in the manner provided for a major political party.

(D) If a person nominated in a primary election as a party candidate for election at the next general election, whose candidacy is to be submitted to the electors of a district within a county, withdraws as that candidate or is disqualified as that candidate under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code, the vacancy in the party nomination so created may be filled by a district committee consisting of those members of the county central committee or, if so authorized, those members of the county executive committee in that county of the major political party that made the nomination at the primary election who represent the precincts or the wards and townships within the district, if the committee's chairperson and secretary certify the name of the person selected to fill the vacancy by the time specified in this division, at a meeting called for that purpose. The district committee meeting shall be called by the chairperson of the county central committee or executive committee, as appropriate, who shall give each member of the district committee at least two days' notice of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting. If a majority of the members of the district committee are present at the district committee meeting, a majority of those present may select a person to fill the vacancy. The chairperson and secretary of the district committee meeting shall certify in writing and under oath to the board of the county, not later than four p.m. of the eighty-sixth day before the day of the general election, the name of the person selected to fill the vacancy. The certification must be accompanied by the written acceptance of the nomination by the person whose name is certified. A vacancy in a party nomination that may be filled by a minor political party shall be filled in accordance with the party's rules by authorized officials of the party. Certification must be made as in the manner provided for a major political party.

(E) If a person nominated in a primary election as a party candidate for election at the next general election, whose candidacy is to be submitted to the electors of a subdivision within a county, withdraws as that candidate or is disqualified as that candidate under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code, the vacancy in the party nomination so created may be filled by a subdivision committee consisting of those members of the county central committee or, if so authorized, those members of the county executive committee in that county of the major political party that made the nomination at that primary election who represent the precincts or the wards and townships within that subdivision, if the committee's chairperson and secretary certify the name of the person selected to fill the vacancy by the time specified in this division, at a meeting called for that purpose.

The subdivision committee meeting shall be called by the chairperson of the county central committee or executive committee, as appropriate, who shall give each member of the subdivision committee at least two days' notice of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting. If a majority of the members of the subdivision committee are present at the subdivision committee meeting, a majority of those present may select a person to fill the vacancy. The chairperson and secretary of the subdivision committee meeting shall certify in writing and under oath to the board of the county, not later than four p.m. of the eighty-sixth day before the day of the general election, the name of the person selected to fill the vacancy. The certification must be accompanied by the written acceptance of the nomination by the person whose name is certified. A vacancy in a party nomination that may be filled by a minor political party shall be filled in accordance with the party's rules by authorized officials of the party. Certification must be made in the manner provided for a major political party.

(F) If a person nominated by petition as an independent or nonpartisan candidate for election at the next general election withdraws as that candidate or is disqualified as that candidate under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code, the vacancy so created may be filled by a majority of the committee of five, as designated on the candidate's nominating petition, if a member of that committee certifies in writing and under oath to the election officials with whom the candidate filed the candidate's nominating petition, not later than the eighty-sixth day before the day of the general election, the name of the person selected to fill the vacancy. The certification shall be accompanied by the written acceptance of the nomination by the person whose name is certified and shall be made in the manner provided for a major political party.

(G) If a person nominated in a primary election or nominated by petition under section 3517.012 of the Revised Code as a party candidate for election at the next general election dies, the vacancy so created may be filled by the same committee in the same manner as provided in this section for the filling of similar vacancies created by withdrawals or disqualifications under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code, except that the certification, when filling a vacancy created by death, may not be filed with the secretary of state, or with a board of the most populous county of a district, or with the board of a county in which the major portion of the population of a subdivision is located, later than four p.m. of the tenth day before the day of such general election, or with any other board later than four p.m. of the fifth day before the day of such general election.

(H) If a person nominated by petition as an independent or nonpartisan candidate for election at the next general election dies prior to the tenth day before the day of that general election, the vacancy so created may be filled by a majority of the committee of five designated in the nominating petition to represent the candidate named in it. To fill the vacancy a member of the committee shall, not later than four p.m. of the fifth day before the day of the general election, file with the election officials with whom the petition nominating the person was filed, a certificate signed and sworn to under oath by a majority of the members, designating the person they select to fill the vacancy. The certification must be accompanied by the written acceptance of the nomination by the person whose name is so certified.

(I) If a person holding an elective office dies or resigns subsequent to the one hundred fifteenth day before the day of a primary election and prior to the eighty-sixth day before the day of the next general election, and if, under the laws of this state, a person may be elected at that general election to fill the unexpired term of the person who has died or resigned, the appropriate committee of each political party, acting as in the case of a vacancy in a party nomination, as provided in divisions (A) to (D) of this section, may select a person as the party candidate for election for such unexpired term at that general election, and certify the person's name to the appropriate election official not later than four p.m. on the eighty-sixth day before the day of that general election, or on the tenth day following the day on which the vacancy occurs, whichever is later. When the vacancy occurs on or subsequent to the eighty-sixth day and six or more days prior to the fortieth day before the general election, the appropriate committee may select a person as the party candidate and certify the person's name, as provided in the preceding sentence, not later than four p.m. on the tenth day following the day on which the vacancy occurs. When the vacancy occurs fewer than six days before the fortieth day before the general election, the deadline for filing shall be four p.m. on the thirty-sixth day before the general election. Thereupon the name shall be printed as the party candidate under proper titles and in the proper place on the proper ballots for use at the election. If a person has been nominated in a primary election or nominated by petition under section 3517.012 of the Revised Code, the authorized committee of that political party shall not select and certify a person as the party candidate.

(J) Each person desiring to become an independent candidate to fill the unexpired term shall file a statement of candidacy and nominating petition, as provided in section 3513.261 of the Revised Code, with the appropriate election official not later than four p.m. on the tenth day following the day on which the vacancy occurs, provided that when the vacancy occurs fewer than six days before the fifty-sixth day before the general election, the deadline for filing shall be four p.m. on the fiftieth day before the general election. The nominating petition shall contain at least seven hundred fifty signatures and no more than one thousand five hundred signatures of qualified electors of the district, political subdivision, or portion of a political subdivision in which the office is to be voted upon, or the amount provided for in section 3513.257 of the Revised Code, whichever is less.

(K) When a person nominated as a candidate by a political party in a primary election or by nominating petition for an elective office for which candidates are nominated at a party primary election withdraws, dies, or is disqualified under section 3513.052 of the Revised Code prior to the general election, the appropriate committee of any other major political party or committee of five that has not nominated a candidate for that office, or whose nominee as a candidate for that office has withdrawn, died, or been disqualified without the vacancy so created having been filled, may, acting as in the case of a vacancy in a party nomination or nomination by petition as provided in divisions (A) to (F) of this section, whichever is appropriate, select a person as a candidate of that party or of that committee of five for election to the office.

Section 3513.311 | Withdrawal, disqualification, or death of governor or lieutenant governor candidate prior to general election.

• Effective: February 5, 2014
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 193 - 130th General Assembly

(A) If a candidate for lieutenant governor dies, withdraws, or is disqualified as a candidate prior to the seventieth day before the day of a primary election, the vacancy on the ballot shall be filled by appointment by the joint candidate for the office of governor. Such candidate for governor shall certify in writing and under oath to the secretary of state not later than the sixty-fifth day before the day of such election the name and residence address of the person selected to fill such vacancy.

(B) If a candidate for governor dies, withdraws, or is disqualified as a candidate prior to the seventieth day before the day of a primary election, the vacancy on the ballot shall be filled by appointment by the joint candidate for the office of lieutenant governor. Such candidate for lieutenant governor shall certify in writing and under oath to the secretary of state not later than the sixty-fifth day before the day of such election the name and residence address of the person selected to fill such vacancy.

(C) If a candidate for the office of lieutenant governor dies on or after the seventieth day, but prior to the tenth day, before a primary election, the vacancy so created shall be filled by appointment by the joint candidate for the office of governor. Such candidate for governor shall certify in writing and under oath to the secretary of state not later than the fifth day before the day of such election the name and residence address of the person selected to fill such vacancy.

(D) If a candidate for the office of governor dies on or after the seventieth day, but prior to the tenth day, before a primary election, the vacancy so created shall be filled by appointment by the joint candidate for the office of lieutenant governor. Such candidate for lieutenant governor shall certify in writing and under oath to the secretary of state not later than the fifth day before the day of such election the name and residence address of the person selected to fill such vacancy.

(E) If a person nominated in a primary election or nominated by petition under section 3517.012 of the Revised Code as a candidate for election to the office of governor or lieutenant governor at the next general election withdraws as such candidate prior to the ninetieth day before the day of the general election or dies prior to the tenth day before the day of such general election, the vacancy so created shall be filled in the manner provided for by section 3513.31 of the Revised Code.

(F) If a person nominated by petition as an independent candidate for election to the office of governor or lieutenant governor withdraws as such candidate prior to the ninetieth day before the day of the general election or dies prior to the tenth day before the day of such general election, the vacancy so created shall be filled by the candidates' committee in the manner provided for, as in the case of death, by section 3513.31 of the Revised Code, except that, in the case of withdrawal of candidacy, the name and residence address of the replacement candidate shall be certified in writing and under oath to the secretary of state not later than the eighty-sixth day before the day of the general election.

(G) If the vacancy in a joint candidacy for governor and lieutenant governor can be filled in accordance with this section and is not so filled, the joint candidacy which has not been vacated shall be invalidated and shall not be presented for election.

(H) Any replacement candidate appointed or selected pursuant to this section shall be one who has the qualifications of an elector.

Section 3513.312 | Withdrawal, disqualification, or death of Congress candidate prior to general election.

• Effective: October 29, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 18 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Notwithstanding section 3513.31 of the Revised Code, if a person nominated in a primary election or nominated by petition under section 3517.012 of the Revised Code as a party candidate for the office of representative to congress for election at the next general election withdraws as such candidate prior to the ninetieth day before the day of such general election, or dies prior to the ninetieth day before the day of such general election, the vacancy in the party nomination so created shall be filled in accordance with division (B) of this section as soon as reasonably practicable.

(B) (1) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) (2) of this section, the boards of elections of all the counties contained in whole or in part within the congressional district in which a vacancy occurs as described in division (A) of this section shall conduct the special election on a date designated by the secretary of state and give notice of the time and places of holding such election as provided in section 3501.03 of the Revised Code. Such election shall be held and conducted and returns thereof made as in the case of a primary election, except that the secretary of state shall designate the deadline to file a declaration of candidacy or a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for the election.

(2) If only one person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy for the special election to be held under division (B) (1) of this section, or if no person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy, then no special election shall be held. If one person has filed a valid declaration of candidacy, the secretary of state, upon receiving certification of that fact from the board of elections of the most populous county of the congressional district, shall issue a certificate of nomination to the person and the person's name shall appear on the ballot as that party's candidate at the general election.

(C) The state shall pay all costs of any special election held pursuant to this section.

Section 3513.32 | Primary preceding special election.

• Effective: January 1, 1954
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 242 - 100th General Assembly

When a special election is found necessary to fill a vacancy, the date of the primary election shall be fixed at the same time and in the same manner as that of the election, by the authority calling such special election. The primary election shall be held at least fifteen days prior to the time fixed for such special election. Declaration of candidacy and certificates for such primary shall be filed and fees shall be paid at least ten days before the date for holding such primary election.

A primary election preceding a special election to fill a vacancy in an office shall be eliminated if no valid declaration of candidacy is filed for such office, or if the number of persons filing such declarations of candidacy as candidates of one political party does not exceed the number of candidates which such political party is entitled to nominate for election to such office.

Section 3513.33 | Notice of prohibited campaign practices.

• Effective: August 24, 1995
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 9 - 121st General Assembly

At the time a person files a declaration of candidacy, nominating petition, or declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate, the secretary of state or the board of elections shall furnish that person with a copy of section 3517.21 of the Revised Code. Each person who receives the copy shall acknowledge its receipt in writing.