Category: Party News

Thinking about running for public office?

Franklin County Libertarians wishing to run in “partisan” races will need to file as Independent.
The county party pledges assistance and resources to qualify.

Partisan candidates with ballot access (not Libertarians, booo) are required to file by Wed, Dec 20th.
Independent candidates have until Mon, Mar 18th, 2024.

The petition signature requirements for party candidates are different for each race, but substantially lower than the requirements for independent candidates.

Example: State Representative for District 6
Partisan candidate signatures required: 50 (max 150)
Independent candidate signatures required:
273 (max 819)

Now, you might be wondering “Just how hard is it to collect 50 signatures?”

Short answer: hard

Long answer: Not just 50 signatures, 50 validated signatures.

The person signing the petition must be a registered voter in the district or area of your election. Not registered, not counted.

The person signing the petition must have voted in any election in the last 2 years. Not voted, not counted. (This is squishy.)

The signature on the petition must match the signature the county board of election has on record. No match, not counted.

On average experienced circulators can collect 50 to 100 signatures a day, with validity averaging 1 in 4.
It also depends on location and time of day. Going door-to-door produces better signatures and higher validatity. Standing in front of grocery stores or bustling shopping areas produces lower validity.
Thus means you can’t just get the bare minimum 50, you must collect more, and experience recommends 2x more.

Even longtime incumbent candidates collect plenty more than the minimum, and potential candidates are disqualified all the time for missing the minimum by as few as 1 signature. 

In 2018 the Libertarian Party of Ohio submitted 102k signatures to qualify for minor party status.
Roughly 64k were deemed “valid” by county boards of election.

Get that ball rolling now, the sooner we connect, the better our chances of getting you elected!

Run for local or state office: https://www.fclpo.org/run-for-local-office/

Source: https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/BOEL-website/media/Election-Info/2024/(1)%20Primary%20Election%20-%20March%2019,%202024/(1)%20Notices%20of%20Election/2024-Election-Schedule-8.pdf

Meet Libertarian POTUS candidate Chase Oliver Mon Oct 9th at 6pm

The Hilliard Room, Oties Tavern
5344 Center St, Hilliard Ohio

Get Directions | Learn more about Chase 

From VoteChaseOliver.com About
Chase Oliver is a 37-year-old Libertarian activist living in Atlanta. Dubbed “…the most influential Libertarian in America…” by Rolling Stone, Oliver is a champion of the rights of the individual against the growing power of the state. He began his political activism opposing the War in Iraq under George Bush, aligning with the Libertarian Party after an encounter at the Atlanta Pride Festival in 2010.

In 2020 he ran for Congress in Georgia’s 5th district to complete the term of the late civil rights icon John Lewis. In 2022, he ran for US Senate, debating incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker’s empty podium. Oliver was widely credited with causing the runoff election between Warnock and Walker. He advocates the adoption of Ranked Choice Voting to avoid future runoffs.

Summary Results Report – Franklin County Board of Elections

2023 August Special

August 8, 2023

Registered Voters – Total -> 874,980

Ballots Cast – Total -> 334,864

Voter Turnout – Total -> 38.27%

Source: https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/BOEL-website/media/Election-Info/2023/(2)%20Special%20Election%20-%20August%208,%202023/(3)%20Election%20Results/Franklin-s-Official-Canvass-Group-Detail-Report.pdf

Franklin County Candidates Running Unopposed for the 2023 General Election

Lori M. Tyack – CLERK OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT

Ben Kessler – CITY OF BEXLEY MAYOR BEXLEY

Greta Kearns – CITY OF GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS MAYOR GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS

Lance M. Westcamp – CITY OF GROVEPORT MAYOR GROVEPORT

Sloan Spalding – CITY OF NEW ALBANY MAYOR NEW ALBANY

Chris Shook – CITY OF REYNOLDSBURG ATTORNEY REYNOLDSBURG

Joe Begeny – CITY OF REYNOLDSBURG MAYOR REYNOLDSBURG

Brad Nicodemus – CITY OF WHITEHALL ATTORNEY WHITEHALL

Michael T. Bivens – CITY OF WHITEHALL MAYOR WHITEHALL

Shaquille Alexander – CITY OF WHITEHALL TREASURER WHITEHALL

John Mathys – VILLAGE OF BRICE MAYOR BRICE

Brannon Dawson – VILLAGE OF HARRISBURG MAYOR HARRISBURG

Christie Ward – VILLAGE OF LOCKBOURNE MAYOR LOCKBOURNE

Matthew P. Cincione – VILLAGE OF MARBLE CLIFF MAYOR MARBLE CLIFF

Daniel Schlichting – VILLAGE OF RIVERLEA MAYOR RIVERLEA

Christopher Lopez – ESC of Central Ohio (Franklin Subdistrict)

Walley Obert – HAMILTON LSD BOARD MEMBER Hamilton Local

Becky Kent – BROWN TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Brown Township

Deborah Steele – CLINTON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Clinton Township

Linzie Justus – FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Franklin Township

Lisa E. Shirkey – HAMILTON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Hamilton Township

Ron Grossman – JACKSON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Jackson Township

Ronald A. McClure – JACKSON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Jackson Township

Ken Jones – JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Jefferson Township

Laurie Vermeer – MADISON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Madison Township

Nancy M. White – MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Mifflin Township

Richard J. Angelou – MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Mifflin Township

Michele M. Elliott – PERRY TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Perry Township

Chet J. Chaney – PERRY TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Perry Township

Eugene Zappitelli – PLAIN TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Plain Township

Jill Beckett‐Hill – PLAIN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Plain Township

Paula J. Wilkins – PLEASANT TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Pleasant Township

Edward Sheets – PLEASANT TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Pleasant Township

Michael D. Farley – SHARON TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Sharon Township

Tony Palmer – SHARON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Sharon Township

Natalie West‐Nicodemus – TRURO TOWNSHIP FISCAL OFFICER Truro Township

There are several reasons why a candidate may be unopposed.

The most common is that no one else files to run. 🤷‍♀️

Source: https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/BOEL-website/media/Election-Info/2023/(3)%20General%20Election%20-%20November%207,%202023/(2)%20Candidates%20and%20Issues/2023-General-Certified-Candidates-List-2.pdf

Franklin County Libertarian Executive Committee Endorses House Bill 73, Enact Dave and Angie Patient and Health Provider Protection Act

Proposed law will ensure medical freedom and discourage interference in the doctor-patient relationship.

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

Columbus, OH: The Franklin County Libertarian Party, a county affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Ohio, announced that the Executive Committee has endorsed House Bill 73, “Enact Dave and Angie Patient and Health Provider Protection Act” sponsored by Representative Jennifer Gross and Representative Mike Loychik.

While it is concerning that such a law would even be needed, the clear interference from federal and state authorities, illegal pressure placed on pharmacists and social stigma invented around safe and effective medicines has found such urgency.

As passed by the Ohio Assembly the new law would place appropriate restrictions on the reach and influence of state government authorities and protect health providers ability to prescribe on/off label medication and protects their free medical speech without fear of retribution. Further, provide protection for pharmacy/pharmacists’ ability to fill a prescription without fear of retribution and a patient’s right to access treatment.

Additionally, the new law would protect a patient from being withheld nutrition or their prescribed daily medications while hospitalized because they decline to consent to a protocol treatment.

While this state law is very similar to federal statute already in place, our shared experience through the past several years, abuses from health authorities and clear violations of civil liberties without consequence, reinforcement of these basic protections seem prudent.

House Bill 73 has been passed by the Ohio House of Representatives and is waiting to be addressed by the Ohio Senate.

We strongly encourage our state senators to pick up this urgent legislation and move forward to provide all Ohioans the certainty they deserve in the chain of trust from their physician to their pharmacist and home to be well.

About Franklin County Libertarians: The Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio is a county political party and affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Ohio. FCLPO has monthly business meetings of the Executive Committee every third Tuesday at 7pm, at the LPO Office, 6230 Busch Blvd, Suite 102, Columbus. Monthly socials are also hosted at various restaurants and venues across and around Franklin County on dates that are announced through the website, fclpo.org, monthly newsletter and Facebook page.

FRANKLIN COUNTY LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF OHIO ENDORSES GAHANNA FOUNDATION’S ‘DEMOCRACY CHALLENGE 2023’ PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

MEDIA RELEASE

The Franklin County chapter of the Libertarian Party of Ohio adopted a resolution of support for The Gahanna Foundation’s “Democracy Challenge 2023” public awareness campaign designed to boost registered voters and election participation in 15 cities in Franklin County.

Adopted unanimously on July 31, 2023 by the Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio, the resolution states:

“WHEREAS the right to vote is fundamental to our American Republic, and;

WHEREAS voter participation is essential for the fair and representative functioning of American government at all levels;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio recognizes the importance of voting in the preservation and strengthening of our constitutional republic, and commit to exercising our right to vote in all appropriate elections.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we encoruage all eligible citizens to register to vote, educate themselves on the issue and candidate, and make their voices heard at the polls at each election,

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we support effort to make voting more accessible.”

Gahanna Foundation President John Michael Spinelli (TGF) said the endorsement from Ohio’s third largest political party is not political or partisan in any way, but a solid vote for the new and novel comprehensive, 3-year pilot campaign that plans its kick-off this year in Franklin County.  

Mr. Sweeney added, “The Democracy Challenge has a strong approach to encouraging Ohio voters to get involved. Using real numbers, sourced from the Board of Election gives everyone a chance to check where their communities stand and now a framework to improve.”

Spinelli notes that while “Americans have the right to vote, tens of millions chose not to exercise their hard-fought franchise to make their voices heard at all elections, from primary to special to General,” TGF hopes to expand “DC23” to more Ohio counties next year and sees a national future for it, too.

The Gahanna Foundation plans for a Statehouse media even to officially kick-off “DC23” in advance of the General Election on November 7th.  

For more information on “Democracy Challenge 2023,” please visit www.thegahannafoundation.org

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has clearly made campaigning in favor of Issue 1 a central plank in his platform for his US Senate race.

FTA/ In addition to pro-Issue 1 campaign events, LaRose challenged his opponents in the Republican race for U.S. Senate next year to donate to the campaign. LaRose called for Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) and Northeast Ohio car dealer Bernie Moreno to pony up $1 million each to the fight for Issue 1. Moreno’s campaign said he’s already given six figures to the campaign and offered to match LaRose’s donations dollar-for-dollar. LaRose’s campaign responded by saying he is not as wealthy as his opponents and has put “sweat equity” into the campaign by appearing at more than 60 pro-Issue 1 events. / 

From The Article: https://woub.org/2023/08/02/libertarian-party-of-ohio-secretary-of-states-pro-issue-1-stance-violates-hatch-act/

As many have observed this is a speech issue.

And here is the thing, the Ohio and US Constitutions place restrictions on _govt_ regarding speech, not residents. 

Frank LaRose is the Ohio Secretary of State. There are issues regarding the upcoming elections where Frank’s opinion has the force of law. Whether it’s spoken to staff, written in a memo to county Boards of Election, or posted to Twitter, his statements influence the levers of power he controls.

There is not a magic hat that Frank can take off that stops him from being the Ohio Secretary of State. He raised money from donors, ran for public office, gained a majority of votes for that election and swore an oath to uphold and defend the Ohio Constitution. This should not be a surprise to Frank.

Frank is literally Mr. Govt.

In the privacy of his home, or at private events, Frank is a private resident with freedom of speech.

In public, anywhere in public, even Twitter, and not just at his desk at 180 E Broad St, Frank is the Ohio Secretary of State, a walking extension of govt and he must abide by the restrictions that we have placed on govt, and, in some cases, he helped become law.

When Frank is campaigning for himself, to get elected to another office, he can say whatever he wants about himself, or his opponents. All other issues on a ballot are off the speaking list.

We didn’t make these rules, and we often opposed them when they were created, but Frank is no hero to break this rule, no modern scofflaw or dark knight. 

He comes across as just another corrupt politician showing us in public how they really act in private.

From The Article: https://woub.org/2023/08/02/libertarian-party-of-ohio-secretary-of-states-pro-issue-1-stance-violates-hatch-act/

Libertarian Party of Ohio Files Complaint Against Secretary of State Frank LaRose for Violating The Hatch Act

Libertarian Party of Ohio

Since 2013, Ohio Libertarians Have Known All Too Well That “Two Faced Frank” Will Do Whatever It Takes to Get Ahead

– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

COLUMBUS, OHIO –– August 1, 2023 –– As the unprecedented, unnecessary and expensive special election approaches on August 8, the Libertarian Party of Ohio (LPO) still stands with over 200 other organizations against Issue 1. But now the LPO is taking things further by filing a complaint against one of Issue 1’s biggest proponents, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

On Monday, the LPO filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, saying that LaRose violated the federal Hatch Act as a public official by receiving federal funds for elections, while also using his office to affect an election. LaRose first earned the LPO’s scorn by voting for SB 193 when he was a state senator in 2013, which gutted minor parties’ ballot access.

“It’s clear that LaRose’s use of federal funds for elections and his support of Issue 1 place him in direct violation of the Hatch Act,” said notable ballot access attorney Mark Brown, who filed the complaint on behalf of the LPO. “By supporting Issue 1 as Ohio’s Secretary of State, his official actions will affect the result of an Ohio election and are not protected by the First Amendment.”

“For someone who is using Issue 1 to campaign for federal office, LaRose should probably be more familiar with federal laws while administering federal funds,” said LPO Communications Director and former Libertarian candidate for governor in 2018 Travis Irvine. “Libertarians have known all too well since 2013 that ‘Two Faced Frank’ will do whatever it takes to get ahead.”

More info about the LPO can be found on their website, or follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

Learn more at: https://lpo.org

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The Franklin County Libertarian Party of Ohio Executive Committee voted to approve joining this complaint and fully support this action.