Interested in going to the Libertarian National Convention, Washington D.C., May 24 – May 26?
Follow the link in the comments to fill out the Delegate Form and help make history!
Link: https://lpo.org/2024-convention-delegates/
Learn more: https://www.lp.org/libertarian-national-convention-2024/
Election season is on us again and we have a problem: unopposed seats.
By last count, at least 12 seats were running unopposed.
Those being:
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
Franklin County Coroner
Franklin County Recorder
Franklin County Sheriff
Franklin County Treasurer
State Representative Ohio House District 01
State Representative Ohio House District 02
State Representative Ohio House District 03
State Representative Ohio House District 05
State Representative Ohio House District 07
State Representative Ohio House District 08
State Representative Ohio House District 09
This is intolerable. This is not democracy. Surely, we can do better.
During last year’s election, I was appalled at the number of unopposed seats on the ballot. I would love to see fewer.
Letting seats run unopposed is giving up. It’s saying we no longer care who makes the decisions that affect our lives.
Surely, there must be some among those reading this who are willing and able to run for public office and at least give the voters a choice.
Well, I am.
I just so happens that I live in District 8, and I don’t like unopposed races either so I’m tossing my hat into the ring. I’m entering the race for State House Representative for District 8.
Do you live in any of the other Districts? Will you consider running?
If you are interested, See the Run for Office section at the end of this newsletter.
Hope to see you on the ballot.
Ken Holpp, Secretary, Franklin County Libertarian Party and District 8 Ohio Statehouse Representative candidate.
Franklin County needs energetic people to run for office! Libertarian elected officials get to make policy that reduces the scope of government and increases personal liberty.
Join Franklin County Libertarians for a “Candidate Quick Start Training”.
We have scheduled 2 candidate training sessions at the Whitehall branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
4445 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43213
Both sessions will cover the same “Candidate Quick Start Training”.
Candidate Training – FCLPO
Franklin County Libertarians
Tuesday, February 06, 2024: 6:00PM – 8:30PM
Whitehall – Meeting Room 1
Candidate Training – FCLPO
Franklin County Libertarians
Thursday, February 15, 2024: 6:30PM – 8:30PM
Whitehall – Meeting Room 2
Candidate Training Agenda
Opening and guest introductions
Candidate introductions
• Name and office you want to run for
• Why do you want to run for this office?
• How do you see Libertarian philosophy being applied to your office?
Presentation: “Getting Started”
• What’s involved in being a candidate
• Legal steps to get on the ballot detailed
• Why legislative and statewide campaigns should be seen as two-year effort
• Translating Libertarian principles into policy
Questions and answers
• What do you most need to know to get off to a good start?
Close
Handouts
• Candidate Quick Start
• Elections Calendar
• Libertarian National Platform (condensed)
• Resources for Libertarian Candidates
How much can you campaign and win? Even just filing and having a simple website can win an election!
The county party is in a position to support candidates county wide to collect signatures for ballot access, fundraise, coordinate community events and run campaigns. Even just a “basic” campaign that involves filing paperwork, simple website, answering surveys and directing volunteers to help other more engaged candidates would be worthwhile and provide those communities with choice on the ballot.
You can run a basic, engaged or all out campaign.We already have several candidates across Franklin County that are gearing up “all out” campaigns and we know the more people running with the same message the more attention we can get everyone.The following elected roles will be UNOPPOSED going into the November General Election! (without an independent opponent they have already won that election)Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
Franklin County Coroner
Franklin County Recorder
Franklin County Sheriff
Franklin County Treasurer
State Representative Ohio House District 01
State Representative Ohio House District 03
State Representative Ohio House District 07
Review requirements for each role in the Ohio Secretary of State Candidate Requirement Guide.
The filing date for Independent candidates is March 18, 2024.
THREE district races for Ohio Assembly are UNOPPOSED for the general election in November 2024.
Get started today!
Get connected with FCLPO and get started!
Run for Local Office! Get started today!
The county party is in a position to support candidates county wide to collect signatures for ballot access, fundraise, coordinate community events and run campaigns. Even just a “basic” campaign that involves filing paperwork, simple website, answering surveys and directing volunteers to help other more engaged candidates would be worthwhile and provide those communities with choice on the ballot.
We already have several candidates across Franklin County that are gearing up “all out” campaigns and we know the more people running with the same message the more attention we can get everyone.
The following elected roles will be UNOPPOSED going into the November General Election! (without an independent opponent they have already won that election)
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
Franklin County Coroner
Franklin County Sheriff
Franklin County Treasurer
State Representative Ohio House District 01
State Representative Ohio House District 05
State Representative Ohio House District 07
Review requirements for each role in the Ohio Secretary of State Candidate Requirement Guide.
The filing date for Libertarian candidates is July 18th.
SEVEN district races for Ohio Assembly are UNOPPOSED for the general election in November 2024.
Get started today!
Franklin County needs energetic people to run for office! Libertarian elected officials get to make policy that reduces the scope of government and increases personal liberty.
Please complete this form, and our Political Director will be in contact with you.
The following elected roles will be UNOPPOSED going into the March Primary AND the November General Election! (without an independent opponent they have already won that election)
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
Franklin County Coroner
Franklin County Recorder
Franklin County Sheriff
Franklin County Treasurer
State Representative Ohio House District 02
State Representative Ohio House District 07
State Representative Ohio House District 08
State Representative Ohio House District 09
The filing date for Independent candidates in March 18, 2024.
Franklin County Libertarians will support candidates in collecting signatures and raising money.
Get started today!
Franklin County needs energetic people to run for office! Libertarian elected officials get to make policy that reduces the scope of government and increases personal liberty.
Please complete this form, and our Political Director will be in contact with you.
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.
2023 August Special
August 8, 2023
Registered Voters – Total -> 874,980
Ballots Cast – Total -> 334,864
Voter Turnout – Total -> 38.27%
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. 🤷♀️
Starting this year Columbus City Council elections will be kinda based on 9 districts.
We say kinda, because while candidates will be required to reside within 1 of the 9 districts to run for that district, form a 5 person committee and collect 250 valid signatures from district residents, the actual primary and election will be _-= city wide =-_ (same as ever).
Yup.
The same 50k-ish voters will continue to control what happens in Columbus, despite the charter amendment that everyone thought was meant to adopt ward-style elections.
Signature Requirement (City Council) … Min. 250 – No Max.c
Filing Deadline … 4:00 p.m., February 1, 2023
Filing Fee … $45.00 ($20.00 petition filing fee & $25.00 O.E.C. fee)
Have you considered running for public office, but find yourself intimidated by all the rules and process?
We can help! We have experienced past candidates, and current elected officials, that can train, explain and help you through every step in the process!
If you ran for office before, consider running again, your odds actually go up on the second try!
The deadline for filing for the March Primary is 4:00 p.m., December 20, 2023!
Write-In Filing Deadline, 4:00 p.m., January 8, 2024.
Here are the localities and roles up for election in Franklin County, and Ohio in for 2024:
2024 ELECTION SCHEDULE
Primary Election Day ……………………………………………………………………………….March 19, 2024
Filing Deadline (90 days)……………………………………………………4:00 p.m., December 20, 2023 Write-In Filing Deadline (72 days)*………………………………………….4:00 p.m., January 8, 2024
Registration Closes (30 days)* ……………………………………………..9:00 p.m., February 20, 2024
Absentee Opens………………………………………………………………………………….February 21, 2024
Independent Filing Deadline…………………………………………………….4:00 p.m., March 18, 2024
General Election Day …………………………………………………………………………….November 5, 2024
Filing Deadline (90 days)………………………………………………………….4:00 p.m., August 7, 2024
Write-In Filing Deadline (72 days)* …………………………………………4:00 p.m., August 26, 2024
Registration Closes (30 days)* ……………………………………………….. 9:00 p.m., October 7, 2024
Absentee Opens……………………………………………………………………………………. October 8, 2024
*In some instances, the statutory deadline falls on a day when the offices of the Secretary of State and boards of elections are closed. In those instances, the deadlines are extended, pursuant to R.C. 1.14, to the next succeeding day when the appropriate office is open for regular business hours.
OHIO SUPREME COURT
Filed with the Ohio Secretary of State. Call (877) 767-6446 for information.
Offices to be elected:
Justice (F.T.C. 1-1-2025) – Michael P. Donnelly
Justice (F.T.C. 1-2-2025) – Melody J. Stewart
UNITED STATES SENATE
Filed with the Ohio Secretary of State. Call (877) 767-6446 for information.
1 seat to be elected – Sherrod Brown
Major Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2-C Signature Requirement……………………………………………………………………………………. 1,000 Filing Fee ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. $150
Minor Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2-C Signature Requirement………………………………………………………………………………………. 500 Filing Fee ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. $150
Independent Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3-D Signature Requirement……………………………………………………………………………………. 5,000 Filing Fee ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. $150
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Handouts required: Explanation of FDS (US House Committee on Ethics)
Major Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………..2-E Signature Requirement……………………………………………………………….. Min. 50 – Max. 150 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $85.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $35.00 O.E.C. fee)
Minor Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………..2-E Signature Requirement…………………………………………………………………. Min. 25 – Max. 75 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $85.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $35.00 O.E.C. fee)
Independent Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………..3-F Signature Requirement………………………………………………..See below for particular district Filing Fee ……………………………….. $85.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $35.00 O.E.C. fee)
Offices to be elected:
Independent signature requirements: MIN MAX 2,621 7,863 2,555 7,665
3rd District – Joyce Beatty
15th District – Mike Carey
BOARD OF ELECTIONS
2024 ELECTION SCHEDULE
OHIO SENATE
Handouts required: Joint Legislative Ethics Committee FDS, ORC Packet and Receipt,
Major Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………..2-F Signature Requirement……………………………………………………………….. Min. 50 – Max. 150 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $85.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $35.00 O.E.C. fee)
Minor Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………..2-F Signature Requirement…………………………………………………………………. Min. 25 – Max. 75 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $85.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $35.00 O.E.C. fee)
Independent Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3-G Signature Requirement……………………………………………….See below for particular district. Filing Fee ……………………………….. $85.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $35.00 O.E.C. fee)
Offices to be elected:
16th District – Stephanie Kunze (2)
OHIO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Independent signature requirements: MIN MAX 1,392 4,176
Handouts required: Joint Legislative Ethics Committee FDS, ORC Packet and Receipt
Major Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………..2-F Signature Requirement……………………………………………………………….. Min. 50 – Max. 150 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $85.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $35.00 O.E.C. fee)
Minor Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………..2-F Signature Requirement…………………………………………………………………. Min. 25 – Max. 75 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $85.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $35.00 O.E.C. fee)
Independent Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3-G Signature Requirement……………………………………………….See below for particular district. Filing Fee ……………………………….. $85.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $35.00 O.E.C. fee)
Offices to be elected:
1st District – Dontavius Jarrells (2)
2rd District – Latyna Humphrey (1)
3th District – Ismail Mohamed (1)
4th District – Mary Lightbody (3)
5th District – Richard Brown (3)
6th District – Adam Miller (4)
7th District – Allison Russo (3)
8th District – Beth Liston (3)
9 District – Munira Yasin Abdullahi (1)
10th District – David Dobos (1)
11th District – Anita Somani (1)
12th District – Brian Stewart (2) – Files in Pickaway County
Independent signature requirements:
MIN MAX
375 1,125
280 840
287 861
513 1,539
353 1,059
273 819
480 1,440
500 1,500
328 984
330 990
514 1,542
2024 ELECTION SCHEDULE
BOARD OF ELECTIONS
OHIO COURT OF APPEALS (10th District)
Handouts required: Board of Professional Conduct FDS, ORC Packet, Notice of Judicial Seminars, and Receipt
Major Party Candidate
Petition Form…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2-FJ Signature Requirement……………………………………………………………….. Min. 50 – Max. 150 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $80.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $30.00 O.E.C. fee)
Minor Party Candidate
Petition Form…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2-FJ Signature Requirement…………………………………………………………………. Min. 25 – Max. 75 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $80.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $30.00 O.E.C. fee)
Independent Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3-G Signature Requirement………………………………………………………. Min. 4,268 – Max. 12,804 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $80.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $30.00 O.E.C. fee)
Offices to be elected:
Judge (F.T.C. 2-9-2025) Laurel Beatty Blunt
Judge (F.T.C. 2-10-2025) Betsy Luper Schuster
FRANKLIN COUNTY OFFICES
Handouts required: Ethics Commission FDS, ORC Packet and Receipt
Major Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2-G Signature Requirement……………………………………………………………….. Min. 50 – Max. 150 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $80.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $30.00 O.E.C. fee)
Minor Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2-G Signature Requirement…………………………………………………………………. Min. 25 – Max. 75 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $80.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $30.00 O.E.C. fee)
Independent Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3-H Signature Requirement………………………………………………………. Min. 4,268 – Max. 12,804 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $80.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $30.00 O.E.C. fee)
Offices to be elected:
County Commissioner (F.T.C. 1-2-2025) – Boyce
County Commissioner (F.T.C. 1-3-2025) – O’Grady
County Prosecutor (F.T.C. 1-6-2025) – Tyack
Clerk of Courts (F.T.C. 1-6-2025) – O’Shaughnessy
County Sheriff (F.T.C. 1-6-2025) – Baldwin
County Recorder (F.T.C. 1-6-2025) – O’Connor
County Treasurer (F.T.C. 9-1-2025) – Brooks Sullivan
County Engineer (F.T.C. 1-6-2025) – Robertson
County Coroner(F.T.C. 1-6-2025) – Overmire
BOARD OF ELECTIONS
Offices to be elected: General Division
Judge (F.T.C. 1-3-2025) – Page
Judge (F.T.C. 1-4-2025) – Phipps
Judge (F.T.C. 1-6-2025) – K. Brown
Judge (F.T.C. 1-7-2025) – D. Hawkins
Judge (F.T.C. 1-8-2025) – McIntosh
2024 ELECTION SCHEDULE
FRANKLIN COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Partisan Primary Ballot
Handouts required: Receipt of FDS, Local Candidate Packet and Receipt,
Notice of Judicial Seminars
Major Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………2-GJ Signature Requirement……………………………………………………………….. Min. 50 – Max. 150 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $80.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $30.00 O.E.C. fee)
Minor Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………2-GJ Signature Requirement…………………………………………………………………. Min. 25 – Max. 75 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $80.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $30.00 O.E.C. fee)
Independent Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3-H Signature Requirement………………………………………………………. Min. 4,268 – Max. 12,804 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $80.00 ($50.00 petition filing fee & $30.00 O.E.C. fee)
Domestic Relations Division
Judge (F.T.C. 1-1-2025) – Gill
Judge (F.T.C. 1-2-2025) – J. Brown
Judge(F.T.C. 1-5-2025) – Nobles
Judge(F.T.C. 1-10-2025) – M. Hawkins
2024 ELECTION SCHEDULE
BOARD OF ELECTIONS Page 5 of 5 STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Partisan Primary Ballot
Major Party Candidate
Petition Form…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2-J Signature Requirement…………………………………………………………………… Min. 5 – Max. 15 Filing Fee ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….None Offices to be elected:
3rd Senate District (Man)
3rd Senate District (Woman)
15th Senate District (Man)
15th Senate District (Woman)
16th Senate District (Man)
16th Senate District (Woman)
25th Senate District (Man)
25th Senate District (Woman)
COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Partisan Primary Ballot
Major Party Candidate
Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………..2-L Signature Requirement…………………………………………………………………… Min. 5 – Max. 15 Filing Fee ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….None Offices to be elected:
One from each township and city ward (Democratic 4-year term, Republican 2-year term)
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Non-Partisan General Election Ballot
Handouts required: Receipt of FDS, Local Candidate Packet and Receipt
Filing Deadline……………………………………………………………………………4:00 p.m., August 5 Petition Form……………………………………………………………………………………………………..3-Z Signature Requirement……………………………………………………………… Min. 100 – Max. 300 Filing Fee ……………………………….. $55.00 ($20.00 petition filing fee & $35.00 O.E.C. fee) Offices to be elected:
6th State Board of Education District (1 to be elected) – Miranda
7th State Board of Education District (1 to be elected) – Collins
Franklin County needs energetic people to run for office! Libertarian elected officials get to make policy that reduces the scope of government and increases personal liberty.
We encourage first-timers to run for local offices in odd-numbered years. You must file a declaration of candidacy with the Franklin County Board of Elections, with completed petitions containing the number of signatures required for the office you are seeking.
Local offices include city and village council, township trustees, and school board members. With a term or two of local office, you will have the experience and credibility to run a successful campaign for county, state, or federal office, but if you have the qualifications to run for a different office, we won’t turn you down! Before starting your campaign, take a quick look at our “Candidate Quick Start Guide” video (27 minutes).
Check out Election and Candidate Resources.
We can help you. Please complete this form, and our Political Director will be in contact with you.
