Vivek Ramaswamy wants to rename Lake Erie as Lake Ohio if he becomes governor in 2026. But can he do that? Let's look at the law.

Cleveland.com noted that changing the name of Lake Erie on U.S. maps would require the approval of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s website, there must be a “compelling reason” to change the name.

Just as President Donald Trump has unilaterally renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Friday floated the idea of renaming another major body of water.