In the case State ex rel. Gowdy v Cuyahoga Cty. Bd. of Elections, 2021-Ohio-3603, the Eighth District Court of Appeals held that a mayoral candidate was not entitled to appear on the East Cleveland ballot for the upcoming election simply because the candidate came in second place in the primary election.
Here, the petitioner argues that because the partisan election only involved the Democratic party, she is entitled to participate in a runoff election because she came in second place. The Board argues that this election does not require the top two candidates appearing on the ballot. The Court of Appeals agreed.
The Court of Appeals reasoned that the purpose of a partisan primary election is to select one candidate from each party, and that this does not charge when only one party is represented in the election. As such, the Court found that petitioner provided not evidence that she was entitled to relief.
To read this case, click here.
Authors: Matthew John Markling and the McGown & Markling Team.
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