The Democratic National Committee is planning to hold a virtual roll call to nominate President Joe Biden ahead of the party’s August convention. This decision comes after the Republican-controlled Ohio legislature failed to pass legislation to extend the state’s August 7 deadline for political parties to submit their official nominees. DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison stated that Joe Biden will be on the ballot in Ohio and all 50 states, and since the Ohio Republicans failed to act, the Democrats will move forward with their own plan for the roll call.
Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine had called for a special session to address the ballot issue, but the DNC decided to take matters into their own hands. The decision by the DNC was made public after Ohio Republicans failed to act, and the move was announced through statements from Jaime Harrison. The plans for the virtual roll call were reported by the Columbus Dispatch and the Washington Post, marking the DNC’s efforts to ensure that Joe Biden’s nomination can proceed as planned.
The DNC’s decision to hold a virtual roll call comes after legal counsel for Ohio’s Republican Secretary of State warned the Biden campaign that the convention, where Biden is expected to be formally nominated, would occur after the state’s certification deadline. To avoid any potential issues with Biden’s nomination in Ohio, Democrats are taking proactive steps to ensure that the virtual roll call can proceed smoothly before the convention officially begins.
In previous election cycles, early certification deadlines were resolved without much issue, with states accepting provisional certification from parties or passing legislation to extend deadlines. However, efforts to resolve the ballot issue in Ohio through legislative means were unsuccessful, leading the DNC to explore alternatives such as a virtual roll call. This option, while different from traditional in-person activities, aims to ensure Biden’s presence on the ballot for the upcoming election.
While Ohio may not be the significant swing state it once was, Biden’s presence on the ballot could still have implications for down-ballot races, including Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown’s reelection bid. The decision to hold a virtual roll call reflects the DNC’s commitment to ensuring that Biden’s nomination process proceeds smoothly and that his name appears on the ballot in all states, including Ohio. This virtual roll call will be a key step in formally nominating Biden as the Democratic Party’s candidate for the upcoming election.
