Ohio Appeals Judge Seat Will Become Vacant

Judge Matthew R. Byrne will vacate his seat following his confirmation to the federal bench.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Criminal Justice

Ohio Appeals Judge Seat Will Become Vacant

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Should local judicial races allow for contested write-in candidates when the primary nominee withdraws?

Following his confirmation to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Judge Matthew R. Byrne will vacate his seat on the 12th District Court of Appeals. Because the withdrawal deadline has passed, votes cast for him on the upcoming ballot will be void.

Why it matters

The vacancy complicates the upcoming judicial election, as officials must now manage voided votes while voters are directed toward the remaining write-in candidate. This procedural shift ensures that ballot integrity is maintained across the eight counties served by the court.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Matthew R. Byrne with a 52-to-45 vote on September 15. Election boards are now tasked with placing withdrawal notices on all voting unit privacy screens and provisional tables.

The players

Matthew R. Byrne

He is an outgoing judge on the 12th District Court of Appeals who was confirmed to the federal bench.

Willa Concannon

She serves as the chief of the Butler County Prosecutor's Office Appellate Division and is a write-in candidate.

Victor Haddad

He is a former candidate for the 12th District Court of Appeals who officially withdrew from the race.

Donald Trump

He is the current President of the United States who is expected to sign the judicial commission.

The details

With Victor Haddad having withdrawn from the race on September 28, well after the August 25 deadline, Willa Concannon remains the sole viable write-in candidate. Election officials must now adjudicate every write-in ballot to determine the successor for the 6-year term.

August 25 was the deadline for any ballot withdrawals.
September 15 marked the date of the U.S. Senate confirmation.
September 28 was the official date of Victor Haddad’s withdrawal.

Legal Context

This situation follows the strict mandates of the Ohio Revised Code regarding ballot withdrawal deadlines. The sequence of events mirrors a pattern where judicial vacancies created by federal appointments late in the election cycle force specific ballot adjudication procedures.

Voters across the eight-county district will encounter withdrawal notices at their polling locations and on their absentee ballots. Residents should be aware that any votes cast for the name appearing on the ballot will be marked as void.

The takeaway

Voters should carefully review local election guidance to ensure their participation is counted effectively during this transition. Being informed about write-in procedures helps maintain the clarity of the electoral process when candidates withdraw late.