Ohio legislators deadlocked over bills to put Biden on November ballot

The Republican-led Ohio state legislature is deadlocked over bills that would ensure President Joe Biden is on the November general election ballot.

The Democratic National Convention, where the party's nominee will be officially decided, is scheduled for Aug. 19-22. However, Ohio's deadline for political parties to certify their nominee is 90 days before the general election, which is Aug. 7 this year.

Both the Ohio House and Senate introduced separate bills to make the nominee certification deadline more flexible, but the latter included a prohibition of foreign funds for state ballot measure campaigns, NBC News reported. The Senate voted on its bill Wednesday but the House adjourned without considering either its own or the Senate's bill.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) said that the legislature's bill without an emergency clause must be passed by the end of Thursday for it to take effect by Aug. 7.

“For weeks now I’ve said the easiest way to [ensure Biden is on the ballot] is to pass temporary legislation that adjusts the deadline by which they can certify their nominee to my office,” LaRose said Wednesday. “Unfortunately, the Ohio House couldn’t get that done today, it appears because Democrats are more interested in protecting foreign billionaires who want to bankroll Ohio’s elections than in getting their presidential candidate on the ballot."

"The House still has time to act with an emergency vote, and it’s in the best interest of Ohio voters, as well as our ability to quickly and effectively prepare for a general election, that they find a way to do so,” he continued.

Alabama's Republican-led state legislature passed a bill last week to ensure Biden would be on the state's ballot, which the governor signed into law.