In 2015, Ohio voters will elect municipal court judges. Candidates for those positions should be aware of upcoming deadlines and requirements.

According to the Ohio Secretary of State’s 2015 Ohio Candidate Requirement Guide, judicial candidates who are running in a party’s primary election must file their candidacy by 4 p.m. on February 4, 2015. Independent or nonpartisan candidates have until 4 p.m. on May 4, 2015. The filing deadlines for some municipal court races may be established by city charters. Candidates should check with their county boards of election to verify the filing deadlines applicable to their races.

Rule 4.2(A)(4) of the Code of Judicial Conduct requires all judicial candidates, including incumbent judges, who are seeking election to attend a campaign practices seminar. The Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline has judicial candidate seminars scheduled in 2015 at various locations around the state with the first seminar on January 26, 2015.

All judges in Ohio are elected to six-year terms. State law requires judicial candidates to be admitted to practice as an attorney in Ohio and have been practicing law for at least six years before the term in office begins. Candidates for Ohio Supreme Court, court of appeals, and common pleas court judge may include service on the bench as part of that six-year legal experience. The secretary of state’s guide includes detailed information about judicial candidate requirements and petition forms.

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