Alabama election officials have raised concerns that President Joe Biden might miss the deadline to appear on the state’s presidential ballot due to the timing of the Democratic National Convention.
State law mandates that parties must submit a “certificate of nomination” for their presidential and vice-presidential nominees at least 82 days before the election, with August 15 being the deadline for the upcoming November 5 election.
Republican Secretary of State Wes Allen informed Alabama Democrats and the Democratic National Committee that failure to receive a valid certificate of nomination by the statutory deadline would prevent the certification of Democratic candidates for President and Vice President.
Ohio faced a similar situation, prompting the secretary of state’s office to call for adjustments to the convention dates or exemptions to the state’s rules.
However, the Biden campaign assured that Biden would be on the ballot in all 50 states, highlighting the possibility of provisional ballot access certification before the conclusion of nominating conventions.
The Alabama secretary of state’s office clarified that no provisional certifications exist for candidates under state law, emphasizing compliance with existing regulations.
Alabama’s Republican-led legislature adjusted the deadline in 2020 to accommodate the Republican National Convention, reducing it to 75 days before the election.
This decision was made to align with the timing of the 2020 convention and the subsequent election.
Despite concerns raised by election officials, the Biden campaign remains confident in securing ballot access nationwide.
However, the situation underscores the challenges posed by state-specific election laws and the need for timely coordination between political parties and election authorities to ensure compliance and participation in the electoral process.
