Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has called a special session of the General Assembly to pass legislation ensuring that President Joe Biden is on the state’s 2024 ballot. The specific deadline for this is next Wednesday, according to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. This issue has arisen due to changes in Ohio’s certification deadlines and a partisan legislative fight over foreign money in state ballot campaigns. The proposed legislation also includes a ban on foreign nationals contributing to Ohio ballot measures, which has caused division in the Ohio House where Republican lawmakers rely on Democratic votes for some legislation.
With the Democratic National Convention falling after Ohio’s August 7 ballot deadline, the issue of getting President Biden on the ballot has become urgent. Governor DeWine emphasized the need to take action quickly, stating that the situation is unacceptable and ridiculous. The proposal to allow President Biden on the ballot as well as ban foreign campaign contributions has been described as a “poison pill” in the Ohio House. Senate President Matt Huffman’s spokesman expressed support for the Governor’s actions and urged House leadership to allow a vote on House Bill 114.
The state Democratic Party has accused GOP lawmakers of politicizing the process and disenfranchising Ohioans, calling for the passing of the Ohio Anti-Corruption Act to address dark money groups and foreign campaign contributions. Despite the political gamesmanship, Democrats are confident that President Biden will be on the Ohio ballot. The Ohio legislature is also considering a clean bill that would permanently change the ballot deadline, in addition to the Senate version of the bill pertaining to foreign campaign contributions.
Ohio’s situation is reminiscent of Alabama, which recently changed its law to ensure that President Biden will appear on fall ballots, offering accommodations similar to those made for former President Donald Trump four years ago. This special session of the General Assembly marks a rare event in Ohio’s legislative history, with the last time lawmakers being called back in such a manner occurring in 2004 under then-Governor Bob Taft to consider campaign finance reform. The urgency to resolve the issue of getting President Biden on the state’s 2024 ballot highlights the complex and partisan nature of election laws and processes in Ohio.
