Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced on Thursday that he is calling a special session of the General Assembly next week to pass legislation ensuring President Joe Biden’s inclusion on the November general election ballot.
“Ohio is running out of time to get Joe Biden, the sitting President of the United States, on the ballot this fall. Failing to do so is simply unacceptable. This is a ridiculous and absurd situation,” DeWine said.
The decision follows a warning from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose earlier in the week. LaRose informed the state Democratic Party that Biden would not appear on the ballot unless the party’s nomination date aligns with state law.
The Democratic National Convention, where the party is expected to officially nominate Biden, is scheduled for August 19-22. However, Ohio law requires political parties to certify their nominees at least 90 days before the general election, a deadline that falls on August 7 this year.
LaRose had previously indicated that the Democratic National Committee would either need to advance its nomination date or the Ohio legislature would have to enact new legislation to adjust the certification timeline. Nevertheless, the state House of Representatives failed to pass a bill to accommodate this requirement before its legislative session concluded, according to the Ohio Capital Journal.
DeWine stated that LaRose conveyed concerns about the looming deadline, referring to the situation as “up against a wall.” He emphasized the urgency, noting that next Wednesday is the final opportunity to resolve the issue.
“I’ve waited. I’ve been patient. And my patience has run out,” DeWine concluded.
Governor DeWine’s call for a special legislative session highlights the pressing timeline and the necessity of legislative intervention to secure Biden’s place on Ohio’s ballot for the upcoming general election.
