(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
Should candidates and objectors be required to use their full legal names instead of nicknames? [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-07-29
Nicknames have long been a part of American culture, from “Bill” for William to “Mike” for Michael. In politics, candidates often use the names they are most recognized by, believing it helps voters identify them more easily on the ballot. However, the use of nicknames in official election documents has started a debate about where to draw the line between personal identity and legal formality. Should a candidate or objector be required to use their full legal name, or is the name they are best known by sufficient?
In a recent episode of Nuance, we talked about recent legal battles in New York that highlight this issue. Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation in 2021 clarifying that candidates can use alternate names on ballots and petitions if those names are commonly used in their community and not intended to mislead voters. This came after Muslim candidates like Mary Jobaida and Moumita Ahmed were initially removed from the ballot for using names that differed from their registered voter names. While the law aimed to level the playing field, questions remain about how far the rules should extend, especially when it comes to objectors who challenge candidate petitions. A current case under appeal in New York challenges whether an objector’s nickname, like “Lenny” for Leonid, is valid for official objections, prompting broader conversations about consistency and fairness in election law.
This debate reveals how election rules can disproportionately affect individuals with non-Anglo names. While “Mike” for “Michael” or “Bill” for “William” is readily accepted, candidates with names from other cultures often face additional scrutiny. This places an undue burden on candidates of color and immigrant candidates who may commonly use anglicized or shortened names in everyday life. Such disparities raise concerns about systemic barriers that could discourage diverse voices from participating in the democratic process.
Should there be a standardized, inclusive list of accepted nicknames across all cultures? Should candidates and objectors simply be allowed to use any name they are known by? Or should we require full legal names to avoid potential confusion or manipulation? These are questions that define how fairness is executed in a multicultural society. So, should candidates and objectors be required to use their full legal names when participating in the democratic process?
Additional:
Is election law in New York unintentionally discriminatory?
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/7/29/2335724/-Should-candidates-and-objectors-be-required-to-use-their-full-legal-names-instead-of-nicknames?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
