Staff Reports
Ohio Republicans are in discussion with Democrats to ensure that President Joe Biden’s name appears on the state’s presidential election ballot. A key issue revolves around the deadline for political parties to nominate their presidential candidates, which stands at 90 days prior to the general election, falling on Aug. 7 this year as per Ohio law.
Ohio Republicans and Democrats Negotiate to Ensure Biden’s Ballot Spot https://t.co/hnQbrIAiEa via @epochtimes
— Jeff Louderback (@thejlouderback) April 25, 2024
Republican Senate President Matt Huffman and Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens have expressed support for adjusting the deadline, not only for this election but for the long term, emphasizing the need for a permanent solution. They have suggested including language for the adjustment within existing legislation to streamline the process.
Earlier, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose had alerted state Democrat officials that unless adjustments were made to their convention date or the state law changed by May 9, President Biden might not qualify for the general election ballot. The Republicans in Ohio currently hold a supermajority in the House and Senate.
Similar efforts are underway in Alabama, where a bill designed to ensure President Biden’s appearance on the presidential election ballot has advanced in the state Senate. There is also speculation about the possibility of President Biden’s campaign seeking legal recourse to secure his place on the Ohio ballot.
The news comes amidst the realization that Ohio has one of the earliest deadlines for presidential candidates in the country, triggering concerns about ballot access and compliance with state election laws. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office maintains that provisional approval is not permitted and that election deadlines cannot be changed.
President Biden’s potential appearance on the Ohio ballot would add an interesting dynamic to the upcoming election, with Ohio historically leaning towards Republican candidates in recent years. President Trump carried the state in both 2016 and 2020, and Ohio holds a Republican governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
The general election in Ohio is poised to witness a competitive race for the U.S. Senate seat, with Republican-backed J.D. Vance and President Trump-aligned businessman Bernie Moreno vying against longtime Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is also actively pursuing a place on the state’s presidential general election ballot, facing the same Aug. 7 certification deadline.
