Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2020 presidential election, may face a challenge when it comes to getting on the general election ballot in the key swing state of Ohio. The state’s top election official, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, has issued a warning that Biden and other Democratic candidates could be in danger of being left off the ballot if they do not act quickly to comply with Ohio’s election laws.
Ohio’s election laws require presidential candidates to submit a list of 5,000 valid signatures from registered voters in the state in order to appear on the ballot. Candidates must also pay a $5,000 filing fee. LaRose has raised concerns that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could make it more difficult for Biden and other candidates to collect the necessary signatures and file the required paperwork on time.
In a recent statement, LaRose urged Biden and the Democratic National Committee to “act now” to ensure that they meet the state’s deadline for ballot access. He warned that missing the deadline could have serious consequences for the Democratic ticket in Ohio, a critical battleground state that could determine the outcome of the election.
Biden’s campaign has already faced challenges in meeting the signature requirement in other states. In Illinois, for example, Biden narrowly avoided being left off the ballot after a challenge to the validity of his signatures was dismissed by a state panel. The campaign was able to submit additional signatures to meet the state’s requirements.
The Ohio Democratic Party has expressed confidence that Biden will ultimately be able to secure a spot on the ballot in the state. However, they have acknowledged that the pandemic has presented unique challenges for collecting signatures and meeting filing deadlines.
In response to LaRose’s warning, the Biden campaign has said that they are working diligently to comply with Ohio’s election laws and ensure that the former vice president is on the ballot in November. They have urged supporters to help collect signatures and make sure that Biden has the necessary support to meet the state’s requirements.
The stakes are high in Ohio, a state that President Trump won in the 2016 election by a margin of 8 percentage points. Winning Ohio will be crucial for Biden’s chances of defeating Trump in November. The possibility of being left off the ballot in such a key state is a worrisome prospect for the Biden campaign.
As the election season heats up and campaigns adjust to the challenges presented by the pandemic, Biden and other candidates will need to navigate complex election laws in order to secure a place on the ballot in critical battleground states like Ohio. With the clock ticking and deadlines approaching, the pressure is on for Biden to ensure that he can participate in the general election in one of the most important swing states in the country.
