By Maria Ortiz
Ohio’s Republican-controlled state legislature passed a bill requested by the state’s governor to secure President Joe Biden’s place on the ballot in the state’s November election, ending weeks of political gamesmanship over a date limit that in previous years was easily relaxed.
Twenty-three Ohio Senate Republicans joined Democrats Friday during a special legislative session to Pass bill extending state’s ballot certification deadline beyond Democratic National Convention dateto make President Joe Biden eligible for the November general ballot.
The measure, which passed Friday in a special session of the state Senate, now goes to Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican.
DeWine, who called the special session to resolve the Biden question on the state’s ballot and address unrelated campaign finance legislation, is expected to sign the bill.
After DeWine signs the bill, Ohio ballot certification deadline will be August 23following the Democratic Party’s nominating convention, which begins August 19.
Passage of the bill is not expected stop attempts to nominate Biden through virtual roll call vote long before the convention at the end of August, as the Democratic National Committee recently decided.
The Democratic National Committee announced that plan earlier this week, preferring to sidestep what had become an unpredictable partisan fight and ensure Biden is certified as the nominee by Ohio’s previous August 7 deadline.
The Democratic National Committee indicated Friday that next Tuesday’s meeting of its rules and bylaws committee to advance a resolution that would allow the virtual roll call of Biden’s Democratic candidacy will be held as scheduled and would be followed by a full vote by the Democratic National Committee.
Keep reading:
• Democratic National Committee will nominate Biden virtually so he can get on the Ohio ballot
• Ohio governor seeks to approve measure that ensures Biden is on the 2024 ballot
• Ohio lawmakers have plan to put Joe Biden on 2024 ballot