Montgomery, Alabama and Columbus, Ohio – Republican secretaries of state in Alabama and Ohio have issued warnings to President Joe Biden’s campaign regarding the possibility of him not appearing on their general election ballots. The concern stems from the timing of the Democratic Party’s convention at the end of August, which falls after the state’s ballot deadlines.
While conventions in late August are not unheard of, the potential ballot access issues arising from the timing of the Democratic convention could pose a challenge. However, an analysis of other state deadlines by NBC News suggests that similar hiccups are not anticipated outside of Alabama and Ohio.
The Biden campaign remains confident that the issue will be resolved, citing past instances where similar challenges were overcome without major controversy. In Alabama, current Secretary of State John Merrill stressed the importance of upholding election laws regardless of political affiliations.
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has publicized a letter emphasizing the state law’s requirement for the Democratic Party to submit a certificate of nomination for the presidential and vice presidential candidates by August 15. Failure to meet this deadline could result in Biden’s exclusion from the ballot in Alabama.
Both Alabama and Ohio have previously faced similar situations during the 2020 election, where adjustments were made to ensure ballot access for then-President Donald Trump. Efforts are underway in both states to address the current challenge, including proposed legislation to amend deadlines.
In Ohio, the state law mandates that presidential nominees must be certified to the secretary of state by a specific deadline. However, concerns have been raised about the timing of the Democratic National Convention clashing with the state’s deadline.
State lawmakers in Ohio are contemplating changes to accommodate the situation and ensure Biden’s inclusion on the ballot. Democratic and Republican officials are engaged in discussions to find practical solutions to the ballot access issue in both states.
Ultimately, the Biden campaign remains optimistic that the president will be listed on all 50 state ballots for the general election. As efforts continue to navigate the challenges posed by the late convention timing, the focus remains on upholding election integrity and ensuring that voters have access to all viable candidates.