The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct today reminded judges, magistrates, and judicial candidates of their annual financial disclosure requirements. Most judicial officers must file their calendar year 2019 financial disclosure statements by May 15, 2020.

The Ohio ethics law and Code of Judicial Conduct require each judicial officer and each candidate for judicial office to file an annual financial disclosure statement with the Board of Professional Conduct. The filing requirement applies to each full- or part-time judge who served by election or appointment at any time in 2019, each full- or part-time magistrate who served at any time in 2019, and each retired judge who served or was eligible to serve by assignment of the chief justice in 2019.

A candidate for judicial office in 2020 must file a financial disclosure statement. For 2020 judicial candidates who will appear on the March 17, 2020 primary election ballot, the filing deadline is Feb. 18, 2020.

Judicial branch filers are required to file their statements electronically, using the Board’s online filing portal. The portal is available through a collaborative effort between the Board and the Ohio Ethics Commission. The online portal and instructions for completing and filing the financial disclosure statement can be accessed via the Board’s website.

Judicial branch filers are not required to pay a fee for filing their financial disclosure statements. The cost of administering the financial disclosure requirements is covered by the Board from its allocation of biennial registration fees paid by Ohio judges and attorneys.