Get informed before Election Day! Several judicial races impact Hamilton County

With Election Day 2014 rapidly approaching next Tuesday, November 4, prospective voters in Ohio and Hamilton County may want to take a look at the candidates and issues up for a vote sooner rather than later. In addition to other statewide and local political races, Court News Ohio reports that there are 225 judicial races in Ohio this year, although 155 of them are uncontested. Significantly, races for both seats on the Supreme Court of Ohio are contested. Sitting Justice Sharon Kennedy is being challenged by State Rep. Thomas Letson, and Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas Judge John O'Donnell is running against incumbent Justice Judith French.

In Hamilton County, in addition to voting for who will fill the Supreme Court seats, voters will cast ballots in thirteen judicial races, including a seat on the First District Court of Appeals, which is being sought by Russell J. Mock and Fanon A. Rucker. The remaining judicial races are all for judgeships in the Court of Common Pleas, including positions in Domestic Relations, Juvenile and Probate Court. Six of these are contested races.

The Hamilton County Board of Elections has provided a Candidates and Issues List for the county that provides a complete list of matters up for a vote and includes information such as political party for all candidates. This can be helpful to voters as a judge's party affiliation is not listed on the official ballot. The League of Women Voters has also published their 2014 Who and What of Elections Voter's Guide which contains detailed biographical and professional information for candidates in statewide, Hamilton County and some Butler and Warren County races. This guide also includes answers to questions posed to candidates about issues impacting Ohio or their own qualifications for the prospective position.