The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is taking matters into their own hands to ensure President Biden’s name appears on the ballot in all 50 states, including Ohio. After the Ohio state legislature failed to reach a solution to get Biden on the ballot in November, DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison announced plans for a virtual roll call to nominate Biden ahead of the party’s convention.
The announcement came as Ohio lawmakers returned to the Capitol for a special session to address the ballot access issue. Harrison emphasized the importance of ensuring that Republicans cannot interfere with the democratic process, stating, “Democrats will land this plane on our own.”
Earlier this year, Democrats were notified of a conflict between the timing of their convention and Ohio’s deadline to certify the party’s presidential nominee. Despite efforts by Senate Republicans to pass a bill allowing a one-time fix to extend the certification deadline, Democrats rejected the proposal due to a provision banning foreign contributions in ballot initiatives.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered lawmakers to find a solution to get Biden on the ballot, but the state House failed to vote on any proposed bills. State Democratic Party chair Liz Walters accused Republicans of “playing politics with our democracy.”
The DNC’s virtual roll call nomination offers a solution to ensure Biden’s presence on the Ohio ballot while avoiding a costly lawsuit. With the convention approaching, Democrats are taking proactive steps to secure Biden’s spot in the upcoming election.