1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to OPPOSE SB 107, which would force candidates for school boards to run in political party primary elections and have their party affiliation displayed on the ballot. This bill would inject partisan politics into what should be a community-focused role, with detrimental impacts on students, families, and voters. Partisan labels would pressure school board members to follow party platforms instead of prioritizing the needs of local students, parents, and educators. Our school boards should focus on providing the best education for children, not advancing national party agendas pushed by outside interests. SB 107 would also open the door for big-money political groups to influence local races, drowning out community voices with excessive spending. School board elections should center on local issues and student needs, not become battlegrounds for partisan warfare bankrolled by national organizations. Furthermore, the bill disadvantages independent voters who do not affiliate with a political party. Ohio's primary system forces voters to choose one party's ballot, potentially excluding them from weighing in on school board candidates until the general election when many decisions have already been made. Dedicated parents and educators who want to serve their schools may be discouraged from running if forced to accept a partisan label. Our communities need qualified candidates focused on education, not partisan politics. Injecting partisanship into school board races harms students, families, communities, and our democracy itself. I urge you to vote NO on SB 107 and keep big money and partisan politics out of our schools. Our children's education should be the top priority.