Opinion ID: 4564464
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Like R.C. 3513.261, R.C. 3513.09 provides:

Text: If the petition    to be filed with the declaration of candidacy, consists of more than one separate petition paper, the declaration of candidacy of the candidate named need be signed by the candidate    on only one of such separate petition papers, but the declaration of candidacy so signed shall be copied on each other separate petition paper before the signature[s] of electors are placed on it. 12 January Term, 2020 candidacy on a different day if, for example, “he ran out of copies or original declarations.” Id. {¶ 29} West and Tidball argue that the secretary of state’s rejection of their nominating petition is inconsistent with this court’s holding and the secretary of state’s position in Beck. But there is a fundamental distinction between the factual scenario in Beck and what occurred in this case. {¶ 30} In Beck, 51 Ohio St.3d 79, 554 N.E.2d 1284, the candidate signed three declarations of candidacy, all of which were filed with the board of elections. There was no assertion in Beck that the candidate had filed copies of a declaration of candidacy without also filing the original. Although in Beck this court allowed for the possibility that multiple declarations of candidacy could be signed, Beck does not stand for the proposition that copies of such declarations attached to separate part-petitions are valid when the original from which they were copied is not filed with the petition papers. {¶ 31} Requiring a candidate who files copies of a signed statement of candidacy to also file the original statement of candidacy “so signed” is consistent with the statutory language in R.C. 3513.261. West and Tidball did not comply with this requirement and have therefore failed to demonstrate their substantial compliance with the statute. {¶ 32} For these reasons, the secretary of state did not abuse his discretion or clearly disregard applicable law when he rejected the nominating petition. We therefore deny the writ. Writ denied. O’CONNOR, C.J., and KENNEDY, FRENCH, FISCHER, DEWINE, DONNELLY, and STEWART, JJ., concur. _________________ The Law Firm of Curt C. Hartman and Curt C. Hartman, for relators. 13 SUPREME COURT OF OHIO Dave Yost, Attorney General, and Bridget C. Coontz and Halli Brownfield Watson, Assistant Attorneys General, for respondent. McTigue & Colombo, L.L.C., Donald J. McTigue, J. Corey Colombo, Derek S. Clinger, and Ben F.C. Wallace, for intervening respondent. _________________ 14