Ohio governor calls special session to pass measure allowing Biden on November ballot

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said Thursday that he is calling a special session of the General Assembly to pass legislation next week to ensure President Biden is on the November ballot for the general election.

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

DeWine's decision came after Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) warned the state Democratic Party on Tuesday that Biden will not be on the ballot in the November election unless the party's nomination date is changed to comply with state law.

The party will officially choose its nominee at the the Democratic National Convention, which is scheduled for Aug. 19-22. However, Ohio's deadline for political parties to certify their nominee is 90 days before the general election, which is Aug. 7 this year.

LaRose mentioned that he had previously told the party that either the Democratic National Committee will have to move its presidential nomination or the Ohio state legislature would pass a remedy. However, the state House of Representatives failed to pass a bill that would have allowed Biden to be on the ballot before the legislative session ended, the Ohio Capital Journal reported.

DeWine said that LaRose told him Thursday that the state is “up against a wall,” and next Wednesday is the final deadline.

“I’ve waited. I’ve been patient. And my patience has run out,” DeWine said.