DNC to nominate Biden virtually before convention amid Ohio ballot drama

The Democratic National Committee plans to nominate President Joe Biden virtually before the party convention amid the Ohio state legislature's deadlock over a bill that would allow him to appear on the November ballot.

The Democratic National Convention, where the party usually chooses its nominee, 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.

On Tuesday, DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison announced that a virtual roll call will be held by the party to ensure Biden is on the ballot in all 50 states, The Hill reported.

"Joe Biden will be on the ballot in Ohio and all 50 states, and Ohio Republicans agree," Harrison said. "But when the time has come for action, they have failed to act every time, so Democrats will land this plane on our own."

“Through a virtual roll call, we will ensure that Republicans can’t chip away at our democracy through incompetence or partisan tricks and that Ohioans can exercise their right to vote for the presidential candidate of their choice,” he continued.  

In an initial attempt to ensure Biden would be on the November ballot, both the Ohio House and Senate introduced separate bills to make the nominee certification deadline more flexible, but the latter included a prohibition of foreign funds for state ballot measure campaigns, NBC News reported. The House adjourned without considering either its own or the Senate's bill.

Last week, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) warned the state Democratic Party that Biden would not be on the ballot in the November election unless the party's nomination date was changed to comply with state law.

On Thursday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) called a special session of the General Assembly to pass legislation to ensure Biden would be on the November ballot for the general election. The special session began Tuesday.

Alabama had a similar issue with its ballot access deadline, and the Republican-led state legislature passed a bill earlier this month to ensure Biden would be on the state's ballot, which the governor signed into law.

Washington state also had a ballot deadline issue but told the DNC that it could be resolved if the party submitted a provisional certification of nomination by Aug. 20, ABC News reported.