Charlie Wilson, the leading Democratic contender for U.S. House, Ohio 6th district, fell short by four signatures in his attempt to get on the Democratic primary ballot. The 6th district is currently represented by another Democrat, Ted Strickland, who is leaving Congress to run for Governor. Ohio requires 50 signatures for candidates for district office to get on a primary ballot. Wilson submitted 96, but almost half of them were from outside the district. Wilson had already raised $400,000 for the race. He can still be a write-in candidate in the May 2 primary, or he can gather 2,200 signatures to be an independent candidate. Two lesser-known Democrats will be on the primary ballot in that race. Thanks to Rick Hasen for this news.
Ballot Access News
Edited By Richard Winger
Wow they can’t get 50 valid signatures to run. We need about 2,800 to get on the ballot in CT for Congress as a minor party.
The 50 signature requirement is reserved for candidates of a party that the state recognizes as a major party (Democrats/Republicans). Independent or other party candidates need to collect one or two thousand signatures also (I think it’s a percentage of the people in the jurisdiction who cast a vote in the most recent gubernatorial election – something along those lines).