In Ohio, political parties and independent candidates must follow specific procedures to be placed on the ballot. Here are some general rules for how ballot access works in Ohio:
- Political parties: To be recognized as a political party in Ohio and have their candidates’ names appear on the ballot, the party must demonstrate that it has a “substantial showing of support.” This is typically done by submitting a petition with the signatures of registered voters equal to at least 1% of the total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election.
- Independent candidates: Independent candidates who are not affiliated with a political party must also submit a petition with a certain number of signatures to be placed on the ballot. The number of signatures required depends on the office being sought and the population of the district. For example, an independent candidate running for the Ohio House of Representatives in a district with a population of 75,000 would need at least 50 signatures, while an independent candidate running for the Ohio Senate in a district with a population of 200,000 would need at least 100 signatures.
- Minor parties: Minor parties, which are political parties that are not recognized as “major parties” in Ohio, may also qualify for ballot access by submitting a petition with the signatures of registered voters equal to at least 1% of the total votes cast in the most recent presidential election.
- Special elections: The rules for ballot access may be different for special elections, such as elections to fill a vacancy in the Ohio General Assembly. In these cases, the Ohio Secretary of State’s office or the relevant county board of elections can provide information on the specific requirements for ballot access.