Ohio’s Secretary of State Frank LaRose has raised concerns that the Democratic National Convention scheduled for August 19, 2024, may be too late for President Joe Biden to appear on the general election ballot in the state. LaRose wrote a letter to Ohio Democratic Party Chairwoman Liz Walters stating that the convention date falls after the August 7 deadline to certify a presidential candidate. He suggested that the issue could be resolved by the Democratic Party moving up its convention date or by the Ohio state legislature creating an exemption to the deadline by May 9.
The letter from LaRose was first reported by ABC News, and it was also sent to Ohio state Rep. Allison Russo and state Sen. Nickie Antonio. A spokesperson for the Biden campaign stated that they are monitoring the situation in Ohio and are confident that Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states. It is important to note that as a major political party, the Democratic Party typically appears on ballots in all states.
In the primary contest earlier this year, Biden chose not to appear on the ballot in New Hampshire due to a violation of the approved DNC calendar. Despite this, Biden won the New Hampshire primary through a write-in campaign. It is unclear at this time how the Democratic Party will address the potential issue with Biden’s appearance on the Ohio ballot for the general election.
As Ohio is a key swing state in presidential elections, ensuring Biden’s name is on the ballot is crucial for the Democratic Party’s chances of winning the state. If the convention date remains unchanged, it may pose a challenge for Biden’s campaign team to navigate the ballot certification process in Ohio.
The Biden campaign will need to work closely with state officials, party leaders, and legislators to find a solution to ensure Biden’s name appears on the Ohio ballot. The situation highlights the complex logistics and planning involved in organizing a national political convention and securing a candidate’s place on state ballots for the general election.
Ultimately, resolving the issue in Ohio will be a priority for the Democratic Party as they aim to secure Biden’s presence on the ballot in crucial swing states like Ohio. The outcome of this situation and the actions taken by party officials and state legislators will have significant implications for Biden’s re-election campaign in 2024.
