COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Senate is moving forward with legislation from the Ohio House that would change how county coroners are selected, shifting from elections by voters to appointments by county commissioners.
Proponents argue the change would enhance professionalism and ensure that individuals with appropriate medical and forensic expertise fill the role. Currently, coroners are elected in most Ohio counties, a system some lawmakers say no longer reflects the complexity and technical demands of the position.
The proposed change is being opposed by the Ohio State Coroners Association. The organization believes the public should continue to have a say in selecting county coroners and views the shift to appointments as a move away from transparency and public accountability.
At present, only two counties in Ohio — Cuyahoga and Summit — have appointed coroners, a practice made possible by their charter government structures. The legislation under consideration would expand that model statewide, ending elections for the position across Ohio’s remaining counties.
