The candidates argue that this requirement is discriminatory and targets transgender individuals.

Under the 1995 Ohio election law, candidates running for office must disclose any name changes within the last five years on their petition paperwork, with exceptions for name changes related to marriage. However, Democrats contend that this law is not clearly mentioned in the candidate requirement guide, leading to confusion and the potential disqualification of transgender individuals running for office.

Arienne Childrey, a Democratic candidate from Auglaize County who is running for the state House, expressed concerns about the impact of this requirement on transgender candidates. Childrey, who identifies as female, is challenging Republican lawmaker Rep. Angie King, who has sponsored bills advocating for school bathroom segregation by sex and has supported restrictions on medical procedures for transgender minors and transgender athletes' participation in female sports teams.

The Mercer County Board of Elections is currently reviewing Childrey's eligibility after she failed to disclose a legal name change on her petition paperwork. Childrey is one of four transgender candidates running for the legislature, and she is the second candidate facing ballot access issues due to the 1995 law.

Vanessa Joy, a real estate photographer from Stark County, was disqualified from the ballot earlier this month for failing to comply with the name disclosure requirement. Joy, who also identifies as transgender, expressed regret for not including her former name on the petitions, emphasizing her commitment to serving the people rather than concealing her deadname.

In response to the controversy, Governor Mike DeWine expressed support for changing the law and ensuring that transgender candidates are not disqualified based on their name change history. Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose suggested adding the requirement to the candidate guide, while clarifying that the law itself would not be altered.

While some transgender candidates, such as Ari Faber and Bobbie Arnold, were eventually cleared to run and will be on the ballot for the upcoming primary, Joy intends to file a lawsuit challenging the name-change notification law with the backing of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus and the Ohio Democratic Party Pride Caucus.

The issue of transgender rights has gained national attention, with Republican lawmakers introducing numerous bills aimed at limiting transgender rights across the United States. Transgender activists argue that these efforts constitute a state-sponsored assault on the transgender community.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the lawsuit and potential revisions to the name disclosure requirement will shape the political landscape for transgender candidates in Ohio and efforts to protect transgender rights.