Ohio’s Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, has raised a legal issue regarding President Joe Biden‘s potential appearance on the state’s ballot for the upcoming election.
LaRose’s office notified the Ohio Democratic Party’s chair in a letter dated April 5th, citing a state law requiring parties to nominate their presidential candidates by August 7th, 90 days before the general election.
The letter, authored by LaRose’s top lawyer, Paul DeSantis, pointed out a conflict between the timing of the Democratic National Convention and Ohio’s statutory deadline for certifying presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
DeSantis noted that without legislative action to adjust the deadline, it would have already passed by the time of the Democratic convention on August 19th.
LaRose’s office suggested two potential resolutions: either the Democratic National Committee moves up its nominating convention or the Ohio General Assembly enacts an exception to the statutory requirement by May 9th, 2024.
Ohio lawmakers have previously waived the August 7th deadline in instances where party conventions were scheduled later. In 2019, a one-time change shortened the pre-election deadline to 60 days prior due to convention timing.
The situation underscores a legal clash between Ohio’s election law and the Democratic Party’s convention schedule.
Biden’s 2020 re-election campaign issued a statement expressing confidence in his ballot placement in all 50 states while monitoring the unfolding situation in Ohio. However, the uncertainty regarding Ohio’s deadline and potential legal remedies adds complexity to the process.
With the presidential election drawing closer, both the Ohio Democratic Party and state legislators face pressure to address the conflict promptly to ensure compliance with election law and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
The outcome will determine whether Biden’s candidacy meets Ohio’s ballot requirements and could impact the broader election landscape.
