President Joe Biden could face an unexpected obstacle in getting his name on the Ohio general election ballot, the office of the Secretary of State warned the Democratic Party in a recent letter.
Under Ohio law, the deadline to certify presidential candidates is August 7 — while the Democratic National Convention, at which the party officially nominates its candidate, is scheduled for August 19.
"I am left to conclude that the Democratic National Committee must either move up its nominating convention or the Ohio General Assembly must act by May 9, 2024 (90 days prior to a new law's effective date) to create an exception to this statutory requirement," Paul Disantis, the chief legal counsel for the Ohio Secretary of State wrote to Ohio Democratic Chair Liz Walters on Friday.
The issue was first flagged by Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office, after noticing the discrepancy in the two dates. Ohio is traditionally viewed as a swing state but has gone to the Republican candidate in the last two elections.
Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo and Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio were both copied on the letter raising the issue.
"We're looking into the matter," Ohio Democratic Party Communications Director Matt Keyes told CNN.
The Biden campaign also confirmed that they were aware of the issue.
"We're monitoring the situation in Ohio and we're confident that Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states," the campaign said in a statement.
