Swearingen's Legislation to Create Judicial Candidate Transparency Passes Committee

Today, State Rep. D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) announces that House Bill 149 passed out of the House Government Oversight Committee. The legislation adds a judicial candidate’s party affiliation on a general election ballot. Swearingen applauded the vote.

“Voters deserve transparency on their ballots and to know who has been funded and endorsed by political parties,” said Swearingen. “This bill will help the people of Ohio to be aware of the underlying judicial philosophies of the candidates.”

The proposed legislation, House Bill 149, would specifically apply to judicial candidates for Ohio Court of Appeals districts and the Ohio Supreme Court.

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. Currently, 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 to be better informed about the candidate they may be voting for in future general elections. I’m thankful for the support from the Government Oversight Committee and I look forward to this bill heading to the House floor,” Swearingen added.