In a democracy, every vote and every voice should count—not just on Election Day but throughout the electoral process. That’s why I, along with my supporters, have been working tirelessly to ensure that the people of District 7 have a real choice in the upcoming Columbus City Council election.
Yet, despite meeting the required threshold of petition signatures, the Franklin County Board of Elections denied my candidacy for the May 6 primary ballot, citing an insufficient number of “valid” signatures. While I respect the Board’s role in maintaining election integrity, I have strong reason to believe that certain signatures were wrongly invalidated—and that the decision-making process lacked fairness and transparency.
A Flawed Process? How We Got Here
On February 14, I discovered that my petition had not been certified. Immediately, I requested clarification from the Board of Elections. Their response? No formal process for reconsideration. Even so, I submitted a formal request to review my signatures, which was later denied without a public hearing or opportunity to present additional evidence.
Since then, I have spoken directly with voters whose signatures were rejected and collected affidavits confirming their intent to support my candidacy. I presented this evidence to the Board—yet, again, my reconsideration request was ignored–silence.
Meanwhile, in 2023, the Franklin County Board of Elections granted a similar reconsideration request for another City Council candidate, Luis Gil, allowing him onto the ballot after an initial rejection. Why was my request treated differently? Why were valid signatures from voters in District 7 dismissed without additional review? Could it be my Independent leanings conflicted with the Board’s two party structure?
I refuse to allow inconsistencies in the petition review process to stand unchallenged—not just for my campaign, but for every Columbus voter who deserves a fair and transparent election system. That’s why I am taking legal action and filing a Writ of Mandamus with the Ohio Supreme Court, seeking a formal review of my petition and asking the Court to order the Board of Elections to reconsider its decision.
This isn’t just about my name being on the ballot. It’s about ensuring that election procedures are applied fairly to every candidate, regardless of political affiliation, background, or campaign structure. The democratic process must be upheld, and the people—not bureaucracy—should decide who represents them in City Hall.
What’s Next & How You Can Help
I will continue fighting for ballot access, transparency, and fairness in this election. But I can’t do this alone. Here’s how you can help:
- Stay informed. Follow this case and help spread the word about why fair election processes matter.
- Speak out. Contact the Franklin County Board of Elections and demand equal treatment for all candidates.
- Engage with the process. Whether it’s voting, volunteering, or advocating, democracy is strongest when we all participate.
As I move forward in this challenge, I remain committed to a Columbus where every resident’s voice is heard—on the ballot and beyond. Because at the end of the day, this fight is about more than one campaign. It’s about protecting the democratic rights of every voter in our city.
Let’s build a Columbus that works for everyone—not just those the system favors.
Stay engaged–let’s keep moving forward together.
-d-
#DensilForColumbus #PeopleOverPolitics