Staff Reports
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is taking action to ensure that President Joe Biden is included on the state’s 2024 ballot. DeWine is calling for a special session of the Ohio General Assembly to address the issue, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. He expressed his frustration with the potential for Biden to be left off the ballot, stating that it is unacceptable and ridiculous.
The current deadline for certifying a candidate’s name on the ballot in Ohio is 90 days before the general election, which falls on August 7. However, the Democratic National Convention, where Biden will be nominated, is scheduled for August 19-22. The Ohio Senate passed a bill to address the issue by allowing certification 74 days before the election, but the House did not take up the bill before adjourning.
The Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, has stressed that next Wednesday is the absolute deadline for addressing the ballot certification issue. The failure of the state legislature to take action has raised concerns about the potential for a partisan battle over foreign money in state ballot campaigns. This issue has arisen in the aftermath of foreign money influencing a successful effort to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution.
Gov. DeWine has indicated that the special session will also address the issue of foreign campaign contributions, with the goal of protecting Ohio’s elections from outside influence. A spokesman for Senate President Matt Huffman expressed support for the governor’s initiative, highlighting the importance of outlawing foreign campaign contributions while rectifying the error that jeopardized Biden’s placement on the November ballot.
