President Joe Biden is facing a new challenge in Ohio as the Democratic National Convention may take place too late for him to appear on the general election ballot in the state. A letter from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s legal counsel points out a conflict in Ohio law between the DNC’s nominating process and the deadline for certifying the party’s presidential nominee. LaRose’s counsel requested prompt attention to the matter, suggesting that the DNC may need to move up its nominating convention or the Ohio General Assembly may need to act to create an exception to the statutory requirement.
Former President Donald Trump won Ohio by a significant margin in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, leading by 10 points or more over Biden in current polling averages. Despite this, the Biden campaign remains confident that he will be on the ballot in all 50 states. Trump and Biden both became their party’s presumptive 2024 presidential candidates in March, with a recent Emerson College poll showing a close race between Trump and Biden, as well as additional candidates. In a head-to-head matchup with all other candidates removed, Trump had a slight lead, but Biden was ahead among very likely voters.
Recent polls indicate that Biden’s chances of winning reelection in November have improved, with respected polling aggregate sites showing him either level or ahead of Trump. However, Trump holds a lead over Biden in crucial swing states such as Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. In some polls, Trump has been shown to have a significant lead over Biden, such as in a survey in Pennsylvania where Trump led by 10 points. Overall, while Biden may have a slight advantage in the popular vote, Trump continues to have the edge in key swing states.
It is important to note that Newsweek is dedicated to challenging conventional wisdom and seeking common ground through its reporting. The current situation in Ohio regarding Biden’s potential absence from the general election ballot due to the timing of the Democratic National Convention poses a unique challenge for the incumbent president. The uncertainty over whether the DNC will need to move up its nominating convention or if the Ohio General Assembly will need to create an exception to the statutory requirement adds complexity to the situation. The outcome of this issue could have implications for the upcoming election and the ability of voters in Ohio to choose between the presidential candidates.
