Internet divided as election official warns Biden could be left off Alabama general election ballot

WASHINGTON, DC: The chief electoral officer of Alabama issued a warning on Tuesday, April 9, stating that President Joe Biden's name might not appear on state ballots come November since his selection to be the Democratic Party's standard-bearer will not be confirmed until beyond a crucial deadline, the New York Post reported.

Notably, given the date of his official nomination for reelection, Alabama is at least the second state where Biden might be excluded from presidential votes. 

Officials say Biden could be excluded from Alabama general election ballot

Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison and state Democratic Party chairman Randy Kelley received a letter from Republican Secretary of State of Alabama Wes Allen that read, "It has recently come to my attention that the Democratic National Convention is currently scheduled to convene on August 19, 2024, which is after the State of Alabama’s statutory deadline for political parties to provide a certificate of nomination for President and Vice President on August 15, 2024."

Notably, political parties must certify their candidates "no later than the 82nd day preceding the day fixed for the election", according to Alabama law.

Allen warned, "If this Office has not received a valid certificate of nomination from the Democratic Party following its convention by the statutory deadline, I will be unable to certify the names of the Democratic Party’s candidates for President and Vice President for ballot preparation for the 2024 general election."

A Biden campaign official told the outlet that Alabama is expected to offer the President provisional ballot access certification, just as several states did for former president Donald Trump and Biden in 2020.

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

The spokesperson added, "In 2020 alone, states like Alabama, Illinois, Montana, and Washington all allowed provisional certification for Democratic and Republican nominees."

The letter follows a similar warning to the state Democrats from an Ohio elections official last week, alerting them to the possibility that the president would not appear on ballots in the Buckeye State unless the DNC is pushed earlier or an "exception" is granted for Biden.

Internet divided as Biden could be removed from Alabama general election ballot

Several people on the internet had mixed reactions as it was reported that President Joe Biden's name might not appear on state ballots in November.

A user wrote on X, "What’s the difference? He would never win Alabama anyway, or any other state for that matter in a real/fair election!" while one added, "That sounds JUST like democracy." 

One person also wrote, "Election Interference!!!!!"

An individual wrote, "Odd in other years these states let it go for both parties," while one said, "Biden could be left off the ballot in Ohio and Alabama. And this would have ZERO impact on the presidential election."

Another person wrote, "He’ll still win the election and anyone who questions it will be deemed an election denier," while one commented, "So, change the deadline, Alabama! You'd do it for #TraitorTrump! Stop being an embarrassment to the country."

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