Alabama officials approved legislation to ensure President Joe Biden appears on the state’s November ballot, similar to accommodations made for Trump four years ago. The bill passed the House of Representatives with a 93-0 vote and was signed into law by Republican Gov. Kay Ivey. Democratic state Sen. Merika Coleman, the bill’s sponsor, expressed bipartisan support for the legislation, which was approved without any dissenting votes from the Republican-dominated Alabama Legislature. This issue arises due to the early certification deadlines in Alabama and Ohio, which fall before the Democratic National Convention, potentially impacting Biden’s ballot access in those states.
The Biden campaign reassured that Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states and emphasized the importance of states acting in line with a bipartisan consensus to ensure presidential nominees from both parties are included on the ballot. Alabama has one of the earliest candidate certification deadlines in the country, leading to difficulties when the party with the later convention date is at risk of not meeting the deadline. Trump faced a similar issue in Alabama in 2020, prompting the Legislature to change the certification deadline to accommodate the GOP convention date. The new legislation in Alabama adjusts the certification deadline from 82 to 74 days before the general election to align with the date of the Democrats’ nominating convention.
If Alabama Republicans had not granted Biden ballot access after previously making accommodations for GOP nominees, litigation would have been likely. The Biden campaign requested Alabama to accept provisional certification, citing previous practices in Alabama and other states, but Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen stated he didn’t have the authority to do so. In Ohio, the Republican-led Legislature had until Thursday to approve an exemption to the 90-day rule setting the ballot deadline on Aug. 7. As of now, no bill has been introduced, but there is potential for one to be presented as the state House and Senate have voting sessions scheduled.
The bipartisan support for ensuring Biden’s ballot access in Alabama reflects the state’s commitment to upholding the democratic process and allowing voters to have a choice in the upcoming election. By passing this legislation, Alabama officials have avoided a potential legal battle and guaranteed that both major party candidates will be on the ballot. This move ensures fairness and equal opportunity for all candidates, in line with the democratic principles of free and fair elections. The quick action taken by lawmakers to address the issue demonstrates their dedication to upholding the integrity of the electoral system and ensuring that voters have a say in deciding the country’s future leadership.
The challenges posed by early certification deadlines highlight the need for states to adapt their election laws to accommodate changes in the political calendar. While adjustments were made in Alabama to address the issue at hand, the need for a broader, long-term solution to ensure that candidates are not excluded from the ballot due to technicalities remains. By addressing these issues proactively and in a bipartisan manner, states can strengthen their electoral processes and uphold the principles of democracy. The recent actions taken by Alabama officials to guarantee Biden’s ballot access serve as a reminder of the importance of cooperation and consensus-building in safeguarding the integrity of the election process.
