BOE details how candidates, issues get on ballot
Wayne County Board of Elections Deputy Director Bryon Bell discussed the board’s role in certifying political candidates and issues in his third of five presentations for the Voter’s Academy series.
In his third of five presentations in the Wayne County Voter’s Academy series, Wayne County Board of Elections Deputy Director Bryon Bell outlined how candidates and issues are certified to appear on the ballot.
“We need to know the rules and how to do this stuff correctly,” Bell said. “Fortunately, there are manuals that describe, in detail, the process of becoming a candidate and getting issues on a ballot. The Election Officials Manual is more than 400 pages. There are other publications also available from the Secretary of State. They are all online and available to the public.”
Understanding Ohio’s requirements, from ballot access and voter registration to campaign financing and transparency, is essential for anyone considering running for office or advocating for critical issues.
In Ohio, the Secretary of State plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity and transparency of the state’s electoral process. As the chief election officer, this position oversees all aspects of elections including the administration of voting systems, the certification of state and federal candidates, and the enforcement of election laws.
Local and regional candidates are certified by the county board of elections, which ensures each candidate has met the legal requirements to place their name on the ballot and that ballot issues are filed correctly.
One of the issues that is often scrutinized during elections is campaign finance.
A key component of Ohio’s campaign finance regulations is the requirement that candidates and political committees file regular financial disclosures. These reports provide voters insight into who is financing their campaigns, shed light on potential conflicts of interest and ensure all contributions are reported on time.
“All campaign finance reports are public record,” Bell said. “If someone is running for office and you want to know who gave them money and how they spent that money, that’s public information, and you can find out.”
Bell encourages anyone with questions about becoming a candidate or getting an issue on the ballot to call the board of elections for guidance at 330-287-5480.
The next session, Absentee and Provisional Voting, is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Metzler Room inside the Wayne County Board of Elections, 200 Vanover St., Suite 1, Wooster. Registration is required and may be done online at www.waynecountyoh.gov.
Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.