‘Just certify the old fool’: Internet divided as Ohio GOP leaders reject Democrats' plan to get Biden on November ballot

COLUMBUS, OHIO: The Ohio officials have declined the proposal put forth by the state Democratic party to include President Joe Biden's name on the November ballot, citing the party's failure to adhere to the state election deadline.

Per The Columbus Dispatch, Secretary of State Frank LaRose had previously cautioned Ohio Democrats about the potential risk of President Biden missing the November 5 ballot, as the state law mandates the certification of the ballot 90 days prior to an election date, which is scheduled for August 7 this year.

However, the 81-year-old incumbent's official nomination is slated to take place only on August 19 during the Democratic National Convention.

What did Democratic Party contend in their correspondence to LaRose’s office?

Attorney Don McTigue, in a letter addressed to Frank LaRose's office, stated that the Democratic Party would provisionally certify Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris before the August 7 deadline.

McTigue has specified that Joe Biden had already secured enough delegates for the Democratic nomination, without facing any significant primary challenge.

Furthermore, Biden had won Ohio's presidential primary with an overwhelming 87% of the vote.

"If President Biden and Vice President Harris are not listed on the ballot as the Democratic Party candidates, their supporters in Ohio will be stripped of the opportunity to associate with their preferred candidate," McTigue argued in the letter to the Secretary of State.

The office of Attorney General Dave Yost asserts that LaRose cannot unilaterally alter election deadlines, nor would provisional approval be effective.

Julie M Pfeiffer, an attorney on Yost's staff, said, “Instead, the law mandates the Democratic Party to actually certify its president and vice-president candidates on or before August 7, 2024. No alternative process is permitted.”

Pfeiffer's letter appears to give Democrats two options; rely on the legislature or litigate.

Party politicians may need to grant an exemption to the 90-day time limit for the Democratic National Convention, as they did in 2020 due to scheduling conflicts.

However, the probability of this occurring is low, as prominent Democrats have indicated that they are deferring to the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Furthermore, it is unlikely that Republican leaders will extend a helping hand.

Senate President Matt Huffman, (R-Ohio), told reporters last week, "I think it's a Democratic problem. There should have to be a Democratic solution. That hasn't been proposed to me."

Ohio is not the sole state with pre-convention election deadlines. Alabama and Washington face similar circumstances.

Washington's Secretary of State, a member of the Democratic Party, has indicated acceptance of provisional certification, according to The Seattle Times.

Oklahoma, Illinois, Washington, and Montana all followed the same procedure for both parties back in 2020.

"Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states," a Biden campaign official claimed. "State officials have the ability to grant provisional ballot access certification prior to the conclusion of presidential nominating conventions."

Internet weighs in as Ohio GOP lawmakers reject Democrats' plan to get Biden on November ballot

One X user remarked, "Just certify the old fool, so sick and tired of this partisan BS."

Another user wrote, "America 2024: we can't have the sitting president on the ballot, but we absolutely must have the former one who attempted a coup on it."

Another user said, "They clearly do not WANT to have Biden on the ballot."

One user claimed, "Only way the Republicans will have a chance is if they cheat."

Another X user asked, "If it's a problem that happened in the past, why always wait for the last minute !??"

Finally, this user tweeted, "Your #GrifterGOP : can’t win on policy, can’t win on ethics, can’t win on morals - have to subvert democracy. #VoteThemOut #Fraud #Corruption #Bribery #Resist"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.