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County Court
Background of the Office:
- Candidates for this office are elected in even year General Elections.
- There are three Judges of the County Court, each elected to Area I, II, or III.
- Area I will be on the ballot in 2028.
- Area II and Area III will be on the ballot in 2024.
- Each term is 6 years. (R.C. 1907.13)
- Each term begins on January 1st following the election, except for Area III which begins on January 2nd.. (R.C. 1907.13)
Click here to view current Elected Officials
What are the requirements to run for Judge of the County Court?
- Live within the County Court District in which they are running, but not necessarily the Area Court for which they are running.
- Be a registered elector in the Butler County Court District, regardless of whether it is the same Area Court in which they are running.
- Be at least 18 years of age. (OH Const. Art. V, §1, Art. XV §4)
- Cannot be 70 years or older on commencing date (OH Const Art. IV, §6(C))
- Must be admitted to practice as an attorney in this state and have been, for a total of at least six years, engaged in the practice of law in Ohio (R.C. 1907.13)
- Attend a Judicial Candidate Campaign Practices Seminar approved by the Ohio Supreme Court's Board of Professional Conduct within a year before and no later than 60 days after being certified by the appropriate county board of elections.
How do I run for the Judge of the County Court?
- Complete petition form 3-J. Note: Petition forms should be printed on legal sized, 8 1/2" x 14" paper).
- Use the Candidate Petition Guide for nonpartisan petitions.
- Required signatures. (R.C. 1907.13)
- Collect between 50 and 150 signatures.
- File petitions with the Butler County Board of Elections no later than 90 days before the date of the General election. (R.C. 1907.13)
- Be sure to use the Filing Checklist before filing your petitions.
- Pay filing fee by check or with the exact change of $80.00. (R.C. 3513.10(A) and (B))
What are the Campaign Finance Requirements?
All candidates running for office who spend any money, including their own personal funds must file a Designation of Treasurer (Form 30-D) and complete subsequent reports. Candidates for this office should file with the Butler County Board of Elections.
What are the Candidate Financial Disclosure Requirements?
All judicial candidates must electronically file with the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct (through the Ohio Ethics Commission's website) no later than thirty days before the first election that year in which their name appears on the ballot unless they already hold a judicial office and must disclose by May 15th for the office instead. (R.C. 102.02(A)4)(b))
Contact Candidate and Ballot Services at 513-887-3700, ext. 3 with any questions or for more information.