The Ohio Secretary of State’s office has expressed potential concerns regarding President Joe Biden’s ballot access in the upcoming general election. In a letter addressed to Ohio Democratic Chair Liz Walters, the office highlighted the need to address these issues promptly.
Legal counsel for Secretary of State Frank LaRose has written a letter seeking clarification regarding a potential conflict in Ohio law. The conflict arises between the Democratic National Committee’s nominating process and the deadline for certifying the party’s presidential nominee to the Secretary of State’s office. The letter, which has been obtained by ABC News, seeks to address this issue and ensure clarity in the law.
The Democratic National Convention is set to assemble on August 19th. However, this date poses a predicament for Joe Biden’s eligibility as a presidential candidate in Ohio. The state code mandates that the certification deadline for candidates is August 7th, over a week before the convention.
In a letter, legal counsel Paul Disantis stated that either the Democratic National Committee should advance its nominating convention or the Ohio General Assembly needs to take action by May 9, 2024. He requested a prompt response to address the issue and ensure compliance with state law.
The Ohio Democratic Party has confirmed to ABC News that they have received the letter and are currently reviewing it.
Top Ohio Democrats, including Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo and Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, were also copied on the letter.
Ohio, once a battleground state, has undergone a rightward shift in recent years. It voted for former President Donald Trump by a margin of eight points in both the 2016 and 2020 elections.
“We’re monitoring the situation in Ohio and we’re confident that Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states,” a Biden campaign spokesperson says.
