Ohio governor convenes special session to secure Biden and Harris on 2024 state ballot

Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) is calling a rare special session of the Ohio General Assembly next Tuesday to pass legislation that will ensure President Joe Biden is on the state’s 2024 ballot.

“Ohio is running out of time to get Joe Biden, the sitting President of the United States, on the ballot this fall,” the Republican governor said. “Failing to do so is simply unacceptable. This is ridiculous. This is (an) absurd situation.”

Ohio’s deadline to certify a candidate’s name on the ballot is 90 days before the general election, making this year’s ballot deadline fall on Aug. 7. However, the Democratic National Convention, where Biden will be nominated, will be held Aug. 19- 22.

Ohio’s Senate had passed a bill addressing the issue by allowing certification 74 days before the election, but the House adjourned before taking up any version of the bill.

Lawmakers had until May 9 to come up with a solution, but now Secretary of State Frank LaRose said next Wednesday is the absolute deadline.

The state legislature’s failure to properly address the issue of Biden being left off the ballot is wrapped up in a partisan battle to keep foreign money out of state ballot campaigns. The fight comes a year after money tied to a Swiss billionaire helped lead a successful effort to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution.

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DeWine said during the special session that lawmakers will be able to pass a bill banning foreign nationals from contributing to Ohio ballot measures.

“We agree with the Governor. It is time to protect Ohio’s elections by outlawing foreign campaign contributions, while at the same time fixing the Democratic Party’s error that kept Joe Biden off the November ballot,” a spokesman for Senate President Matt Huffman said in a statement.