A new proposal in the Ohio Senate, S.B. 107, could bring significant changes to how school board elections operate across the state, shifting them from their traditionally nonpartisan status to a partisan structure. While Vermilion’s school board and city council elections are currently nonpartisan, the question remains: should voters in our community consider how political affiliations influence these races?
Understanding S.B. 107
S.B. 107 aims to add partisan labels to school board elections and adjust candidate signature requirements. Under the bill, candidates affiliated with a political party would need at least 50 signatures from electors in their party to qualify for the ballot. Independent candidates, however, would need signatures amounting to 1% of the votes cast for governor in the last election for that district.
For school board candidates, the threshold varies based on district size. In districts with fewer than 20,000 people, 25 signatures from party-affiliated voters would be required. In larger districts, the requirement would be 50 signatures. Independent school board candidates would need 25 signatures in areas where fewer than 5,000 people voted in the last gubernatorial election or an amount equaling 5% of that vote total, whichever is lower. Districts exceeding 5,000 gubernatorial voters would require 1% of that vote count.
The Ohio School Boards Association has voiced opposition to the bill, with spokesperson Scott Gerfen arguing that it would reduce the number of qualified candidates willing to serve. Federal and state employees, for example, are restricted from running in partisan races, potentially barring experienced individuals from seeking office.
A similar effort, House Bill 235, sought to transition state school board elections to a fully elected and partisan model but failed to advance in the Ohio House in 2023.
The Debate Over Partisanship
Supporters of the bill argue that partisan elections provide voters with clearer insights into candidates’ values and policy stances. State Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur, R-Ashtabula, has likened the change to Board of Elections candidacy, claiming it would allow for greater scrutiny of candidates’ platforms.
Opponents, however, caution that adding political labels to local elections could discourage independent-minded candidates from running and inject unnecessary divisiveness into community leadership. For Vermilion, where city governance has long operated without overt political party influence, the question remains: Is partisanship necessary to improve voter knowledge, or would it harm the collaborative spirit of local government?
Implications for Vermilion
If enacted, the law would take effect 120 days after passage, meaning school board elections in Ohio would remain nonpartisan until at least 2028. However, the shift to partisan elections could affect how voters engage with candidates and how school board members govern.
Vermilion, like many small communities, holds nonpartisan elections not only for school board positions but also for city council and the mayor’s office. While these races are technically nonpartisan, candidates often have political affiliations that influence their decision-making. S.B. 107 brings up the question: Should Vermilion continue to elect school board members and city officials without party labels, or should voters embrace a more transparent partisan system?
One area of concern for local governance is how a shift to partisanship might impact classified employees. Law enforcement officers, for example, are considered classified employees and are restricted from holding partisan positions. Currently, three members of the Vermilion City Council come from law enforcement backgrounds. If council elections ever became partisan, it could limit who is eligible to serve.
A Broader Perspective
Nonpartisan elections have traditionally been seen as a way to keep local governance focused on practical solutions rather than party politics. The idea is that school board and city council members should prioritize community needs over party loyalty. However, critics argue that political affiliations still play a role, even when races are labeled nonpartisan, and that transparency through party identification could benefit voters.
As S.B. 107 moves through the legislative process, Vermilion residents should consider how the proposed changes align with the values of their community. Should voters embrace partisan elections for greater transparency, or should they fight to preserve the city’s tradition of nonpartisan local governance? Understanding the history and purpose of nonpartisan elections will help voters make informed choices about how their local government should function in the future.
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