Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, has signed a measure to ensure that President Joe Biden will appear on the state ballot in November. The measure relaxes a state candidate filing deadline and will take effect on August 31. In addition, a related bill imposing a ban on foreign nationals contributing to state ballot campaigns was also signed into law.
The Republican-dominated Legislature approved both measures during a rare special session. The contribution ban broadened the definition of 'foreign nationals' to include lawful permanent residents of the U.S., also known as green card holders. Some lawmakers raised concerns about the constitutionality of this provision.
The special session was called to address the issue that Ohio's deadline for making the November ballot falls on August 7, before the Democratic president is formally nominated at the party's convention in August. However, the Democratic National Committee announced plans to hold a virtual roll call vote to nominate Biden, neutralizing the need for any vote in Ohio.
Democrats in the Ohio House accused the Republican supermajorities of exploiting the Biden conundrum to pass an unrelated bill that undermines direct democracy in Ohio. Last year, voters in Ohio rejected GOP leaders' positions on three separate ballot measures, including protecting abortion access, making it harder to pass constitutional amendments, and legalizing recreational marijuana.
The contribution ban measure could impact ballot issue campaigns for Ohio's November ballot, including proposals on redistricting law changes, raising the minimum wage, granting qualified immunity for police, and protecting voting rights.
