President Joe Biden will appear on Ohio’s general election ballot this fall and foreign nationals will be banned from contributing to state ballot campaigns after the Ohio Senate approved bills on May 31 that now head to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk.
The measures passed during a rare special session one day after they were authorized by the Ohio House.
Mr. DeWine, a Republican, is expected to sign both bills. Last week, he chastised lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for not passing legislation that would put President Biden on the ballot and prevent foreign money in Ohio ballot issues.
Ohio law mandates officials to certify the November ballot on Aug. 7, 90 days before Election Day, which is Nov. 5.
President Biden is expected to be formally nominated for reelection at the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Chicago from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22.
If Mr. DeWine signs the bill as expected, Ohio’s ballot certification deadline will be Aug. 23.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, wrote a letter in April to state Democrat officials warning that President Biden might not qualify for the general election ballot unless Democrats adjust their convention date or convince Republicans to change state law by May 9.
The state House and Senate appeared to be on the verge of passing a legislative fix to President Biden’s ballot issue earlier this month.
The chambers could not reach an agreement, and they opted not to pass emergency legislation that would have allowed President Biden to appear on the ballot.
The House bill would have added President Biden’s name to the general election ballot and also allow additional time for political parties to certify nominees in future presidential elections.
The Senate bill adjusted the deadline, placed President Biden on the ballot, and banned foreign spending on state ballot issues.
House Speaker Jason Stephens, a Republican, adjourned the May 8 session instead of calling for a vote on the Senate bill, drawing the ire of many conservative lawmakers in the chamber.
Mr. DeWine summoned lawmakers back to Columbus for a special session this week, noting that he had lost his patience with the lack of resolution.
“I don’t think anybody on this side of the aisle really feels like they’re going to be voting for President Biden, but at the same time, Ohioans deserve a choice in this election, and that’s what we’re seeking to give them today,” Republican state Sen. Rob McColley said on May 31.
Some Ohio Democrats applauded the inclusion of President Biden on the state’s general election ballot.
“We have a very divided country right now. And my hope is that actions such as [those] we’re taking right now with House Bill Two are an example of how we can work together. As my colleagues across the aisle just said: to have a fair fight, to bring it on. I think that’s awesome,” Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio said.
Earlier this week, the Democratic National Committee announced a plan to hold a virtual convention to nominate President Biden and ensure that he is certified in Ohio and on the state’s general election ballot.
‘Unnecessary Poison Pill’
Democrats have called the bill to prevent foreign money in state ballot issues an “unnecessary poison pill” that would hamper citizen-led petition initiatives.Last year, Ohio voters enshrined abortion rights into the state constitution, and this year, Democrats are supporting a redistricting reform drive they hope appears on the November ballot.
In the bill that was passed to ban foreign contributions to state ballot campaigns, the definition of “foreign nationals” was broadened to include green card holders or lawful permanent residents of the United States.
Proponents of the provision that was attached to the House bill believe it closes a glaring loophole. Some lawmakers wonder if it will eventually head to the courts and be deemed unconstitutional.
“Today’s action echoes what we already knew: Since the beginning of this process, Ohio Republicans have been playing partisan games and trying to chip away at our democracy, while Democrats have been defending Ohioans’ right to vote,” DNC senior spokesperson Hannah Muldavin said.
“Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states, and we are already taking action to make sure that’s the case, regardless of Ohio Republicans’ shenanigans.”
State Sen. Kristina Roegner, a Republican, also used “shenanigans” to describe the legislation, but she directed the accusation to the opposing party.
“This bill does give me heartburn. And while the Democrats nationally are blatantly attempting to suppress the votes by weaponizing the justice system and their shenanigans—shenanigans and kangaroo court—it is tempting to say to the DNC that if you can’t follow Ohio existing law, then you don’t deserve to have your candidate on the ballot,” Ms. Roegner said on the Ohio Senate floor on May 31.
“But two wrongs don’t make a right. And we won’t stoop to their level.”
