I really don’t think the disqualification has anything to do with the fact that the candidate is trans. People get disqualified from ballots for all sorts of minutia that they missed. Former names are important to know if someone is attempting to cover up a criminal conviction, etc.
Except this supposedly important rule isn’t mentioned anywhere.
According to local news outlet, Cleveland.com, Joy said that, while she would have been comfortable to abide by the law, it had not been mentioned in the 33-page candidate guide provided by the Ohio secretary of state’s office
Another article I read also said the petition form doesn’t even have a space to list former names. And that the other trans candidates in Ohio likewise didn’t list any deadnames, but were accepted anyway.
It has all the indications of a law only enforced when it suits the enforcer’s agenda.
And also, if being able to track people by having a list of previous names is so important, why are there exceptions? Someone could just as well hide behind their married name as any other name change.
I really don’t think the disqualification has anything to do with the fact that the candidate is trans. People get disqualified from ballots for all sorts of minutia that they missed. Former names are important to know if someone is attempting to cover up a criminal conviction, etc.
Except this supposedly important rule isn’t mentioned anywhere.
Another article I read also said the petition form doesn’t even have a space to list former names. And that the other trans candidates in Ohio likewise didn’t list any deadnames, but were accepted anyway.
It has all the indications of a law only enforced when it suits the enforcer’s agenda.
And also, if being able to track people by having a list of previous names is so important, why are there exceptions? Someone could just as well hide behind their married name as any other name change.
Though probably less important in the current day where communication is so easy and ubiquitous. But yes, I think you’re right.
Edit: Given the topic we’re discussing, I should be crystal clear. Deadnames are none of the general public’s business, on the ballot or off.