Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) announced that Joe Biden will not appear on the 2024 Ohio presidential ballot unless the state legislature acts to change current state election law or the state’s Democratic Party changes its rules. “I’ve said from here to Colorado that it’s in the best interest of voters to have a choice in the race for president,” LaRose said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday night. He continued: “I’m also duty-bound to follow the law as Ohio’s chief elections officer.”
“As it stands today, the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee will not be on the Ohio ballot. That is not my choice. It’s due to a conflict in the law created by the party, and the party has so far offered no legally acceptable remedy,” the state’s top election official said, confirming the 81-year-old Democrat incumbent failed to meet the state’s ballot requirements.
LaRose reiterated that he’s contacted the Ohio Democratic Party chairman to find an equitable solution. The Ohio House Speaker announced on Tuesday the state legislature would not return for a special session to address the issue.
The Biden campaign‘s Ohio ballot issue arises from a calendar conflict. Ohio election law stipulates August 7 as the deadline for certifying candidates for the state’s election ballot. However, Biden won’t be formally named the Democratic nominee and certified as its candidate until August 19 at the Democratic National Convention. LaRose stressed that the national Democratic Party will need to change the date on which they certify their nominee to comply with his state’s election law.
I’ve said from here to Colorado that it’s in the best interest of voters to have a choice in the race for president. I’m also duty-bound to follow the law as Ohio’s chief elections officer.
As it stands today, the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee will not be on the Ohio… pic.twitter.com/Y5AkZBoow2
— Frank LaRose (@FrankLaRose) May 21, 2024