The Ohio General Assembly adjourned on Wednesday without addressing a critical issue that could potentially keep President Biden off the ballot in the state come November. The state’s top elections official, Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, has stated that he plans to exclude Mr. Biden from the ballot due to a procedural issue related to the certification deadline for presidential nominees.
Typically, states have quickly resolved such issues to ensure major presidential candidates remain on the ballot. However, in Ohio, a legislative fix that would push back the certification deadline to accommodate the late date of the Democratic National Convention stalled out as Republicans in the Ohio Senate added a partisan measure banning foreign donations to state ballot initiatives.
The Biden campaign is currently assessing their next steps, with a spokesman affirming that Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states. Ohio Democrats have criticized the lack of a legislative solution, accusing Republicans of trying to prevent Ohioans from choosing their preferred presidential candidate.
If a resolution is not reached, the Biden campaign could potentially sue the state, leading to a lengthy and costly legal battle. This development adds a new layer of complexity to the upcoming election and highlights the partisan clash surrounding ballot access in Ohio.
