President Joe Biden is set to be formally nominated as the Democratic presidential nominee through a virtual roll call ahead of the party's official convention in Chicago in August. This strategic move will enable Biden to appear on the November ballot in Ohio and minimize disruptions from potential protesters.
The Democratic National Convention, where Biden would typically be formally nominated, falls after Ohio's ballot deadline of Aug. 7. To address this timing issue, Ohio lawmakers were called to a special session by Gov. Mike DeWine. The virtual proceedings will closely resemble the process used in 2020 when the convention went virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virtual roll call is expected to take place after the committee's rules and bylaws committee votes on proposed changes to the process on June 4. This approach ensures that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris receive the party's formal nod without the risk of unexpected moments that could potentially embarrass Biden on live television.
The move also aims to prevent any attempts to undermine the democratic process through incompetence or partisan tactics. The Democratic National Committee chairman emphasized the importance of ensuring that Ohioans can freely vote for their preferred presidential candidate.
Ohio lawmakers are currently in a special session to address the ballot deadline issue. Negotiations between the House and Senate are ongoing, with discussions focusing on finding a solution to Biden's ballot conundrum. The Senate's version of the ballot fix, which includes a prohibition on foreign nationals donating to Ohio ballot campaigns, has faced opposition from Democrats.
Efforts to pass a combined measure during the special session have encountered challenges due to disagreements over additional requirements that could impact future ballot campaigns in the state. The House may consider a 'clean' bill containing only the adjustment to Ohio's ballot deadline to streamline the process.
As the legislative process unfolds, differing interpretations of the governor's proclamation have led to scheduling variations between the Ohio Senate and House. The Senate may convene and then recess to await the House's decision on the matter.
Overall, the virtual roll call nomination presents a strategic solution to ensure Biden's presence on the Ohio ballot while minimizing disruptions and upholding the democratic voting process.
