Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Democratic Party is facing a potential challenge in getting President Biden on the general election ballot due to a deadline set by the state’s election-management office. According to a letter obtained by The Washington Post, the Ohio secretary of state’s office informed Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters that the current schedule of the Democratic National Committee’s nominating convention may prevent Biden from qualifying for the Ohio ballot. State law mandates that nominees must be certified at least 90 days before the general election, which for this year falls on November 5th.
The letter, referencing Ohio’s presidential ballot laws, highlighted the necessity of certifying a presidential candidate in Ohio by August 7th, but the Democratic National Convention is not slated to convene until August 19th. This discrepancy prompted a request from Paul DiSantis, chief legal counsel for Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, for clarity from Democratic state legislative leaders to ensure adherence to Ohio law.
While members of the Ohio Democratic Party copied in the letter did not respond to inquiries, the Biden campaign expressed confidence that the president will indeed be on the Ohio ballot. However, LaRose’s office suggested possible solutions, such as moving up the nominating convention or creating an exception to the law for the Democratic nominee.
In light of these developments, the situation in Ohio raises concerns about the ability of a major party nominee to appear on the ballot in all 50 states. Notably, in the recent Democratic primaries, Biden was not on the ballot in New Hampshire, showcasing potential challenges in complying with state-specific laws and regulations.
Both major candidates have been actively engaging with voters in Ohio, a key battleground state with 17 electoral votes. Biden visited East Palestine in February, addressing the aftermath of a train derailment that led to environmental concerns and political debates. Meanwhile, Trump held a rally in Vandalia last month, making controversial statements about immigrants and highlighting the stakes of the upcoming election.
As the deadline looms for Biden’s certification on the Ohio ballot, the Democratic Party faces a crucial decision in navigating state laws and ensuring full representation for the upcoming election. The outcome of this situation could have significant implications for the broader electoral landscape and the ability of candidates to compete nationwide.