Ohio Congressional Candidate Removed from Ballot Over Voter Registration Fraud

Brian Kenderes, a Democrat running for Ohio's 14th District, was convicted of false voter registration and failed to gather enough valid signatures to appear on the ballot.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Brian Kenderes, a Democratic candidate running for Ohio's 14th Congressional District, will not appear on the ballot this May after the Clermont County Board of Elections rejected his petition due to a lack of valid signatures. Kenderes was previously convicted of false voter registration in 2024 for registering to vote using an address where he did not live.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about election integrity and the importance of candidates meeting legal requirements to appear on ballots. Voter fraud convictions can disqualify candidates from running for office in some cases, raising questions about the vetting process for political hopefuls.

The details

Kenderes submitted 95 signatures, but only 23 were deemed valid by the Clermont County Board of Elections, falling short of the 50 required. In 2024, Kenderes was convicted of a felony charge of false voter registration after registering to vote at an address where he did not live. He was sentenced to two years of probation and 30 days in jail.

  • Kenderes ran for Ohio's 14th Congressional District in 2024, but lost to the Republican incumbent.
  • In 2022, Kenderes was convicted of using or possessing drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor offense.
  • In 2008, Kenderes was found guilty of having physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated in Cuyahoga County, another misdemeanor.

The players

Brian Kenderes

A 42-year-old Democrat who ran for Ohio's 14th Congressional District in 2024 and was convicted of false voter registration that same year.

David Joyce

The Republican incumbent representative for Ohio's 14th Congressional District, who defeated Kenderes in 2024.

Christopher Dennison

The deputy director of the Clermont County Board of Elections, which rejected Kenderes' petition due to insufficient valid signatures.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage the integrity of our elections.”

— Christopher Dennison, Deputy Director, Clermont County Board of Elections

What’s next

The Clermont County Board of Elections will now certify the remaining candidates for the 14th Congressional District race, with the Democratic and Republican nominees set to face off in the general election in May.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of candidates meeting legal requirements to appear on ballots, as voter fraud convictions can disqualify individuals from running for office. It also highlights ongoing concerns about election integrity and the need for thorough vetting of political candidates.