Alabama officials approve Biden’s appearance on state’s fall ballot

Alabama officials have passed legislation to ensure President Joe Biden’s name will appear on the state’s November ballot, avoiding a potential legal battle with Democrats. The bill, signed into law by Republican Gov. Kay Ivey, extends the certification deadline to allow Democrats time to formally name Biden as their nominee after the national convention.

The move comes after Alabama’s secretary of state, Wes Allen, warned that the original deadline could conflict with the timing of the Democratic convention in August. Similar concerns were raised in Ohio, where officials have stated they will not accept provisional certifications.

In response to the situation, lawmakers in both states are considering legislative fixes to push back the deadlines. Ohio’s Republican State Senate president, Matt Huffman, expressed confidence that Biden will be on the ballot, either through legislation or federal court intervention.

The issue highlights the importance of certification deadlines in the election process and the potential legal challenges that can arise when they are not met. In the case of Alabama, the swift action taken by state officials has resolved the issue and ensured that voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots for President Biden in November.