Ohio’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine announced on Thursday that he is summoning a special session of the General Assembly next week to ensure that President Joe Biden appears on the state’s 2024 ballot. This rare move underscores the urgency and the high stakes involved in the legislative process. DeWine emphasized the critical nature of this session, set for Tuesday, highlighting the potential constitutional crisis that could arise if Biden, the incumbent president, is omitted from the ballot.
“Ohio is running out of time to get Joe Biden, the sitting President of the United States, on the ballot this fall. Failing to do so is simply unacceptable. This is ridiculous. This is an absurd situation,” DeWine stated emphatically. His comments reflect the growing frustration and the perceived gravity of the situation, as Ohio approaches its stringent ballot certification deadlines.
Legislative Complications and Partisan Battles in Ohio
The issue of Biden’s ballot presence has become a flashpoint in a broader legislative battle aimed at curbing foreign influence in state ballot campaigns. This conflict has its roots in last year’s successful effort to enshrine abortion rights in Ohio’s constitution, a campaign notably bolstered by funds linked to a Swiss billionaire. This precedent has driven a partisan divide over how to regulate campaign finances and protect electoral integrity.
Ohio’s deadline for ballot certification falls on August 7, 2024, just before the Democratic National Convention scheduled for August 19-22 in Chicago, where Biden is expected to be formally nominated. This tight timeline has been further complicated by recent changes to Ohio’s certification deadlines, which shifted from 60 to 90 days before the general election. Lawmakers have adjusted these requirements in previous election cycles, but this year they failed to reach a consensus by the May 9 cutoff set by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. According to DeWine, LaRose indicated that the state is “up against a wall,” necessitating immediate legislative action.
Political Maneuvering and Future Implications
Governor DeWine’s proclamation paves the way for passing a Senate bill that not only addresses the ballot deadline but also bans foreign nationals from contributing to Ohio ballot measures. This proposal, however, is contentious within the Ohio House, where Republican leaders need Democratic support to pass certain legislation. Senate President Matt Huffman has expressed support for the governor’s call, urging House leadership to act swiftly on House Bill 114.
“We agree with the Governor. It is time to protect Ohio’s elections by outlawing foreign campaign contributions, while at the same time fixing the Democratic Party’s error that kept Joe Biden off the November ballot,” Huffman’s spokesman stated. This stance is echoed by DeWine’s spokesman Dan Tierney, who mentioned the possibility of considering a “clean” House bill that would permanently adjust the ballot deadline.
Democratic leaders, however, argue that the real issue lies in the lack of transparency regarding dark money in campaigns. Ohio House Democratic leader Allison Russo criticized the GOP’s strategy, calling it a distraction from more pressing electoral integrity issues. “GOP strategy: change the rules when you can’t win,” Russo asserted, pointing to the broader implications of restricting citizens’ ability to fund ballot initiatives.
State Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters further accused Republican lawmakers of politicizing the process and disenfranchising voters. She advocated for the Ohio Anti-Corruption Act, which aims to enhance transparency and strengthen the ban on foreign money in state elections. As Ohio navigates these legislative challenges, the outcome of this special session could have significant ramifications for the state’s electoral process and the 2024 presidential race.
Republican Leaders Push for Strategic Legislative Action
The call for legislative action has also received support from prominent Republican figures. U.S. Senator JD Vance of Ohio described the special legislative session as a “reasonable compromise,” signaling his alignment with the state’s Republican leadership. Vance expressed confidence that former President Donald Trump would triumph over Biden, should he be on the ballot. However, he cautioned that a lack of a competitive presidential race could lead to decreased voter turnout, negatively impacting down-ballot races for the Senate and Congress. “We need to play chess,” Vance remarked, emphasizing the strategic importance of maintaining voter engagement.
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex M. Triantafilou echoed support for Governor Mike DeWine’s decision to call the special session. This move is seen as critical to upholding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring all candidates are fairly represented. The urgency of this legislative action is further underscored by recent developments in Alabama, where laws were modified to guarantee Biden’s ballot presence, paralleling accommodations made for then-President Donald Trump four years ago.
The Biden campaign has yet to issue a formal response to the ongoing legislative discussions in Ohio. The last instance of such a recall to Columbus was in 2004, under Republican Governor Bob Taft, aimed at addressing campaign finance reform, highlighting the rarity and significance of the current political situation.
