Efforts to get Biden on November ballot stall in Ohio Statehouse
The effort to ensure President Joe Biden is on Ohio's general election ballot has hit a wall.
It's the latest twist in an already confusing story.
Ohio law requires presidential and vice presidential nominees to be "certified to the secretary of state or nominated on or before the 90th day before the day of the general election." This means Ohio's ballot deadline for the general election falls on Aug. 7.
This year, however, the Democratic National Convention is scheduled for Aug. 19-22, which is 12 days after the deadline.
Ohio's Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office warned Ohio Democrats about the law in April. It also noted the only way to ensure Biden makes the ballot in Ohio is to either move up the DNC or have the general assembly pass a law making an exception.
Ohio lawmakers previously passed temporary exceptions in 2020, when Democrats and Republicans both held conventions after the 90-day deadline.
To ensure Biden is on Ohio's general election ballot, any law that's passed has to be signed by Gov. Mike DeWine and delivered to LaRose's office by Thursday, May 9. Bills take 90 days to go into effect which means 90 days after May 9 is Aug. 7.
On May 8, the Ohio Senate advanced a bill that would relax the Aug. 7 deadline. It comes days after state house leaders also introduced a bill that would fix the issue.
But the state house adjourned without considering either bill on May 8.
WLWT reached out to both statehouse Democrats and Republicans about if the vote will be brought up again before the May 9 deadline. We have not heard back yet.
LaRose's office says a legislative fix must be in place by the end of the day on May 9, writing in a statement in part, "The House still has time to act with an emergency vote, and it’s in the best interest of Ohio voters, as well as our ability to quickly and effectively prepare for a general election, that they find a way to do so.”
NBC News reports if legislators refuse to change the deadline Democrats will need to either sue for ballot access or hold some sort of earlier official nomination vote before the DNC.