President Biden will be on the Ohio ballot for the upcoming election, thanks to some quick action from his supporters.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced Tuesday that it will officially renominate Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris through a “virtual roll call.” This will meet Ohio’s August 7 certification deadline, even though the convention is set for later in August.
“Joe Biden will be on the ballot in Ohio and all 50 states,” said DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison.
The virtual roll call date has not been set yet. The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee will vote on June 4 to make this change official, and the full committee is expected to approve it soon after.
The convention in Chicago from August 19-22 will still take place as planned.
Biden’s spot on the Ohio ballot was at risk because the Democratic National Convention is scheduled after Ohio’s certification deadline.
Ohio’s top Republicans, including Governor Mike DeWine, have asked the state legislature to extend the deadline to ensure Biden can be on the ballot.
DeWine called a special legislative session on Tuesday to address this issue. He supports passing legislation to extend the deadline despite the DNC’s workaround plan.
The Ohio Senate passed a bill to extend the deadline but included a controversial provision restricting foreign money in state referenda, which Democrats opposed.
“Through a virtual roll call, we will ensure that Republicans can’t undermine our democracy through incompetence or partisan tricks, and that Ohioans can vote for the presidential candidate of their choice,” Harrison said.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, warned Democrats last week that Biden was at risk of losing ballot access.
Since 2010, Ohio’s rule requiring ballot certification 90 days before a general election has been extended for both parties in 2012 and 2020.
Alabama and Washington have also taken steps to avoid ballot issues that could prevent Biden from getting access.
There have been rumors that Democrats might scale down in-person events at the Chicago convention due to expected protests.
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