The editor of the News Journal of Clinton County, Ohio, has this detailed and interesting analysis of Ohio election law concerning which voters are independents and which are party members. Ohio law on this matter is easily the most arbitrary and confusing of any state. Ohio does not ask voters to indicate party membership (or independent status) on voter registration cards. But unlike other open primary states, it tries to categorize individual voters as either party members or independents, and uses these categories to exclude candidates from ballots based on so-called party membership or independent status.
The editor’s concern is grossly misplaced.
The candidates that she is concerned about are an “independent” running for city council in the November election for Wilmington (population 12,500) Ward 3; and an “independent” running for village council in Blanchester (population 4500).
The primary was in May, so partisan candidates had to file in February. The general election is in November. The independent candidates had to file before the May primary.
In Wilmington, there were 9 candidates for the 7 Republican nominations for city council. There are no Democratic, Libertarian, Green, Constitution, Socialist, or Americans Elect candidates. So in one ward, an independent will face a Republican. This will be the first election since 1999 that one of the ward seats has been contested.
It is stupid to have partisan elections in a small town. It is stupid to have a primary in a small town 6 months before the general election. It is stupid to have to file 3 months before the primary if a partisan candidate, and 6 months before the general election if an independent candidate.
Wilmington should switch to nonpartisan elections, with an October filing deadline, and December runoff if necessary.