Democrats To Hold Virtual Roll Call Nomination For Biden Amid Ohio Ballot Concerns

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced plans Tuesday to nominate President Joe Biden as the party’s 2024 presidential candidate through a virtual roll call vote weeks before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. This move aims to ensure Biden’s name appears on the Ohio ballot despite the state’s early Aug. 7 deadline for certifying candidates.

Ohio’s Republican-controlled legislature has been hesitant to extend the deadline for Biden without including unrelated campaign finance legislation that Democrats oppose. In response, DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison stated, “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.”

The DNC will need to authorize this virtual system of nomination, by a vote of its rules and bylaws committee on June 4, followed by a vote of all DNC members; then, once adopted, the roll call of the several states – and Biden and Harris can officially be nominated before Ohio’s convention deadline.

Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters accused Republican politicians of “playing politics with our democracy” by attempting to prevent voters from choosing their preferred presidential candidate. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders in the state legislature have asked the Biden campaign to assure Ohioans that the president will appear on the ballot through this alternative solution.

The DNC’s decision to nominate Biden virtually could shield him from being targeted in the civil war brewing within the party over Israel’s war with Hamas and the serious disagreement about the war among members in the party.

Some seem sure that whatever happens, Trump will take Ohio. But the way Georgia went in 2020, it would be wise to take nothing for granted as voters and poll watchers head into a polarized election.

 

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