Ohio election recap, 2012

November 14, 2012

Ohio: During the last month, the nation's eyes were on Ohio to see which way it would vote in the presidential election. However, with races for 75 different courts, Ohio's judicial elections brought more races and surprises.

In three races for the Ohio Supreme Court, two incumbents were defeated. On top of that, Ohioans elected the first Democratic candidate to the court since 1990. In 24 races for the Ohio District Courts of Appeal, 46 candidates competed. Of those candidates, only 28% ran unopposed, which shows a high level of competitiveness compared to other states.

Every two years, Ohio elects judges to its Courts of Common Pleas and County Courts. In 2012, 60.6% of races were unopposed for the Courts of Common Pleas, while 77% of races were unopposed for the County Courts.

Across the state, 25% of the candidates elected in the general election were female. Of those females, 12 candidates (or 30%) were non-incumbents. On the trial courts specifically, 53% of candidates were incumbents and re-elected in the general election. Almost 10% of incumbents were not re-elected, which means 11 judges unwillingly will see their terms expiring at the end of this year or early in 2013.

For more information on this year's judicial elections in Ohio, see: Ohio judicial elections, 2012.