Bill would list party affiliation for high court races

SANDUSKY — Is it time for “truth in labeling” in races for high judicial posts in Ohio?

The notion already appears to divide Republicans and Democrats.

Two state lawmakers who represent Erie County in the Ohio General Assembly, state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, and state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, have introduced separate bills requiring party affiliation to be listed on the general election ballot for candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court and the Ohio Court of Appeals.

Candidates for top judicial posts are backed by political parties, although the affiliation isn’t listed on the November ballot. In the last election, for example, Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, defeated the Republican incumbent, Judi French. Brunner is a longtime Democratic politician and is a former Ohio secretary of state.

Swearingen’s just-introduced House Bill 149 and Gavarone’s Senate Bill 80, also just introduced, have identical provisions.

And both lawmakers offer similar justifications for the measure, saying that voters deserve to know a candidate’s political affiliation.

“The current judicial electoral system in Ohio is flawed, mainly because we are the only state in the country where judges run in a partisan primary and a nonpartisan general election,” Gavarone said. “Voters deserve to have the full picture about candidates on the ballot, and this is just another piece of information they will have to make an informed decision.”

“According to an Ohio judicial elections survey, one-half of respondents said they vote less frequently for judges compared to other offices with a high indication that a party affiliation would be helpful for this voting process,” Swearingen said.

“The law already requires judges to run in partisan primaries and they receive endorsements from political parties. I believe it’s time we move forward to assist Ohioans by informing them of the candidate they may be voting for in future general elections,” he said.

After Gavarone announced her measure on Twitter, Democrats attacked it, arguing that the bill is aimed at helping Republicans win rather than informing the public. Democrats have done poorly in most statewide races in recent years, but have fared well in races for the Ohio Supreme Court.

“Too many Democrats are winning, better change the rules,” username "Katelyn E." wrote.

“Now that Democrat-supported judges and women of color are winning, better find a way to make it harder,” username "Flintoid" in Ohio wrote.

“It’s hard when you can’t gerrymander Supreme Court seats, isn’t it?” username "I’mNotaCat" wrote.

Gavarone’s bill has been referred to the Local Government and Elections Committee. Gavarone chairs the committee. Swearingen’s measure had not been assigned to a committee as of Wednesday.