President Joe Biden will be formally nominated as the Democratic presidential nominee through a virtual roll call in preparation for the party’s convention in Chicago in August. This maneuver allows Biden to appear on the November ballot in Ohio, as the convention falls after the state’s ballot deadline. Ohio lawmakers have been called to a special session by Governor Mike DeWine to address the issue and adjust the deadline, as they have done in the past for candidates of both parties. The virtual proceedings will be similar to those used in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will allow Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to receive the party’s formal nomination.
The specific date for the virtual roll call has not been announced, but it is expected to take place after the committee’s rules and bylaws committee votes to propose changes to the process on June 4. Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison emphasized the importance of ensuring Biden’s placement on the Ohio ballot and criticized Republicans for failure to act. Ohio lawmakers have been negotiating a solution to Biden’s ballot conundrum, with no resolution announced as of Tuesday. Changes to Ohio’s certification deadline have been made in the past to accommodate candidates of both parties, but these adjustments have been temporary.
The Senate in Ohio sent a version of the ballot fix to the House that included a prohibition on foreign nationals donating to Ohio ballot campaigns, causing a delay in the process. Governor DeWine urged legislators to pass the measure during the special session, but Democrats raised concerns about additional requirements that would make it harder to mount future ballot campaigns in the state. The House is considering a “clean” bill containing only the adjustment to Ohio’s ballot deadline. Differing interpretations of the proclamation issued by Governor DeWine have led to differing schedules between the Senate and House in Ohio, with plans for committee hearings and votes on the issue.
Ohio voters approved three ballot measures last year, including a constitutional amendment protecting access to abortions and an initiated statute legalizing adult-use marijuana, despite opposition from Republicans. The ballot deadline adjustment has become more challenging due to the ability of voters to influence the process through ballot initiatives. Ohio lawmakers are working to find a solution that will allow Biden to appear on the state’s ballot in November, while also addressing concerns about foreign donations and the difficulty of future ballot campaigns. The special session in Ohio aims to reach a resolution that will enable Ohioans to vote for the presidential candidate of their choice.
