Wow there’s no field for it on the form, this is some kind of bs. “Rejected because you filled out our paperwork as-is and didn’t provide this super secret data we’ve never asked for or enforced or told anyone about”
It seems to me if the requirement is not stated on the forms or the website she might have a legal case. I agree with Erin this is selective enforcement of a poorly noticed requirement!
*Yay* Ohio - We keep finding ways to be horrible to trans folx - just when you thought it couldn’t be any worse. This same issue has forced trans candidate Arienne Childrey to withdraw from her race, as well. 😢
Agreed about chance of getting an exception in court. I also wrote to the the election board about my opposition to the disqualification due to the information being absent in the guide and form.
It must be common for cis people to run who have changed their names because of marriage or divorce, etc. I hope someone like the ACLU can sue them. Let us know how we can give money to her campaign, if needed.
This is truly alarming. Thank you for mentioning Michigan. The ACLU of Michigan LGBT Project tells me this was interpreted by the Secretary of State and determined that if any person were going by a “ common law name “ for at least 6 months they could be exempt from disclosing the name. Therefore the 10-year rule would not apply.
Wow there’s no field for it on the form, this is some kind of bs. “Rejected because you filled out our paperwork as-is and didn’t provide this super secret data we’ve never asked for or enforced or told anyone about”
I hope there’s a legal remedy here
It seems to me if the requirement is not stated on the forms or the website she might have a legal case. I agree with Erin this is selective enforcement of a poorly noticed requirement!
My goal is to file a suit if I can get representation
I’d donate
Good luck. I'm sure that many people would be willing to contribute to the costs.
Whenever someone asks "what rights don't transgender people have?" Here is just one example of the mountains of proof that we have to fight.
I hope Vanessa continues to pursue her candidacy!
I know this is also required in Illinois, but statement of candidacy forms list it as a requirement and have a line for filling in previous names in the last 3 years: https://www.elections.il.gov/agencyforms/Candidate%20fillable%20forms%20updated/P-1%20Established%20party%20statment%20of%20candidacy%20fillable.pdf
This needs to be overturned. Illinois has no business having this as a requirement for trans candidates.
I also can’t imagine not having this as a field on a filing form and trying to enforce it.
Agreed, but as a heads up this is also for folks who are married or have a name change for other reasons. It’s not uncommon here to hear of judicial candidates in the Chicago metro area who will change their last name to sound like they have a different ethnic background to try to get more votes: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/11/9/18469170/he-ran-for-judge-lost-changed-parties-took-irish-name-won-cook-county-race
Knowing how good Illinois is on LGBTQIA+ rights (they were the first state to legalize sodomy, after all), I’m sure they’ll do good on this.
Thank you for all you do. All that evil needs to triumph is for good people to do nothing.
*Yay* Ohio - We keep finding ways to be horrible to trans folx - just when you thought it couldn’t be any worse. This same issue has forced trans candidate Arienne Childrey to withdraw from her race, as well. 😢
I think candidates in Michigan are safe I also think she had a good chance of winning in court
Agreed about chance of getting an exception in court. I also wrote to the the election board about my opposition to the disqualification due to the information being absent in the guide and form.
It must be common for cis people to run who have changed their names because of marriage or divorce, etc. I hope someone like the ACLU can sue them. Let us know how we can give money to her campaign, if needed.
This is truly alarming. Thank you for mentioning Michigan. The ACLU of Michigan LGBT Project tells me this was interpreted by the Secretary of State and determined that if any person were going by a “ common law name “ for at least 6 months they could be exempt from disclosing the name. Therefore the 10-year rule would not apply.
Disgraceful.
Unbelievable! Also, shouldn't Vanessa's address be blacked out in this article for the sake of her privacy?