Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is urging the state legislature to convene a special session to ensure President Joe Biden appears on the ballot in the Buckeye State for the upcoming election. The Republican governor emphasizes the importance of addressing a scheduling conflict caused by an existing rule in the Ohio Revised Code.
The rule mandates that officials certify ballots 90 days before an election, which sets this year’s deadline at August 7th. However, President Biden’s official nomination will not occur until the Democratic National Convention, scheduled for August 19th. This discrepancy poses a significant challenge for including Biden’s name on the ballot.
DeWine stresses the need for legislative action to resolve this issue promptly. “It is crucial for the integrity of our electoral process that all candidates who have the support of their parties can appear on the ballot,” DeWine says. “I call on the state legislature to hold a special session to address this matter and ensure that Ohio voters have the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidates.”
The governor’s call for a special session highlights a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation, with DeWine advocating for a solution that supports the Democratic incumbent’s right to be on the ballot. This move aims to preempt potential legal challenges and voter confusion.
Ohio lawmakers are now faced with the task of determining how to adjust the current rules or create a temporary exception to accommodate the scheduling conflict. The proposed legislative session would focus on amending the certification timeline or providing an alternative method to include candidates who secure their party’s nomination after the deadline.
As the situation unfolds, both parties express the urgency of resolving the issue to uphold the fairness and transparency of the election process. The outcome of this legislative action will be closely watched, as it sets a precedent for handling similar conflicts in the future.
