Ohio Rev. Code § 5505.043: Election not required where candidate unopposed.

(A) The state highway patrol retirement board is not required to hold an election for a position on the board as a retirant member or employee member if only one candidate has been nominated for the position in accordance with rules governing the election adopted under section 5505.047 of the Revised Code. The candidate shall take office as if elected and the term of office shall be four years beginning in August of the year the candidate was nominated.

(B) The board is not required to hold an election for a vacated position on the board as a retirant member or employee member if either of the following is the case:

(1) Only one candidate has been nominated for the vacancy in accordance with rules governing the election adopted under section 5505.047 of the Revised Code, in which case the candidate shall fill the unexpired term.

(2) Less than ninety days remain in the member's term on the day that member's position becomes vacant.