The Ohio House approved a temporary measure during a special session to allow President Joe Biden to appear on the state's ballot this fall. The move comes after Ohio's deadline for ballot inclusion falls before the Democratic National Convention where Biden is set to be formally nominated.
Democrats' attempts to qualify Biden provisionally were rejected by the state's attorney general, prompting the need for a legislative solution. The Democratic National Committee announced plans for a virtual roll call vote to nominate Biden, bypassing the Ohio ballot deadline issue.
However, the House session also saw the approval of a ban on foreign nationals contributing to state ballot campaigns, a measure demanded by the Ohio Senate. The Senate is expected to review both bills, but passage is uncertain due to strained relations between the chambers.
Democrats in the House criticized the Republican supermajorities for using the Biden situation to undermine direct democracy in Ohio. They pointed to recent ballot measures where voters opposed GOP stances, including protecting abortion access and legalizing recreational marijuana.
The amended House bill addressing foreign contributions aims to prevent foreign money from influencing Ohio elections. It includes reduced penalties for violations, altered enforcement provisions, and language to ensure compliance with existing campaign finance laws.
If enacted, the foreign nationals ban could impact upcoming ballot issues in Ohio, such as redistricting law changes, a $15 minimum wage, police qualified immunity, and voting rights protection.
Meanwhile, a federal court ordered Ohio's Attorney General to certify language on a qualified immunity measure, which would make it easier to sue police for excessive force. The Attorney General has appealed the decision.
The ballot fix and foreign nationals ban bills passed the House with mostly party-line votes, with the measures aimed at addressing immediate election concerns in Ohio.
