Ohio’s Republican Governor, Mike DeWine, announced on Thursday that he will convene a special session of the General Assembly next week. The purpose of this special session is to pass legislation that guarantees President Joe Biden’s inclusion on Ohio’s 2024 ballot. This move highlights Governor DeWine’s commitment to ensuring fair and democratic elections in the state.
The issue of whether Mr. Biden will be included on the ballot has become embroiled in a political battle to prevent foreign funding from influencing state ballot campaigns. This comes after funds from a Swiss billionaire played a role in a previous campaign to secure abortion rights in a traditionally conservative state.
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The Democratic National Convention, where Mr. Biden will receive his formal nomination, is scheduled to take place in Chicago from August 19th to 22nd. Unfortunately, Ohio’s ballot deadline falls on August 7th, which is before the convention.
Ohio lawmakers have had to make adjustments to the certification deadline for candidates in the state due to changes in election regulations. In 2012 and 2020, the deadline was changed from 60 to 90 days before the general election to accommodate candidates from both parties. However, these changes were only temporary.
Lawmakers this year failed to find a solution by the May 9 deadline imposed by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
In a conversation with LaRose on Thursday, DeWine expressed his concern about the current situation, stating that they are “up against a wall.” LaRose, on the other hand, informed him that the drop-dead deadline is set for next Wednesday.
DeWine expressed his frustration, stating, “I’ve waited and been patient, but now I’ve run out of patience.”
According to DeWine, his proclamation will enable the passage of a Senate version of the bill that includes a provision to prohibit foreign nationals from making contributions to Ohio ballot measures.
The fractured Ohio House has labeled the proposal as a “poison pill,” as they heavily depend on Democratic votes to pass certain legislation.
The spokesperson for Senate President Matt Huffman has expressed support for House Bill 114 and urged House leadership to allow a vote on the matter.
“We are in agreement with the governor’s stance on protecting Ohio’s elections. It is high time that we put a stop to foreign campaign contributions. Additionally, we fully support the effort to rectify the Democratic Party’s mistake that resulted in Joe Biden being excluded from the November ballot,” stated the spokesperson.
According to DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney, the governor mentioned that they could also consider a “clean” House bill that would permanently change the ballot deadline.
According to Ohio House Democratic leader Allison Russo, the presence of foreign donors’ money is already prohibited by law. However, she emphasizes that the true concern lies in the flow of dark money towards political candidates.
According to Russo, the GOP’s strategy revolves around altering the rules when they find themselves unable to secure victory. He asserts that the party becomes fearful when citizens exercise their right to direct democracy, prompting them to now seek a complete overhaul of the people’s ability to finance ballot initiatives. Russo dismisses any mention of “foreign money” as a mere distraction.
Elizabeth Walters, the Chair of the State Democratic Party, has accused GOP lawmakers of politicizing the process and unfairly depriving Ohioans of their voting rights.
In a statement, Walters emphasized the importance of passing the Ohio Anti-Corruption Act. According to her, this act is necessary to address the issue of dark money groups. The act would enforce regulations that would require these groups to reveal the identities of their funders and disclose their spending activities. Additionally, it would also aim to strengthen the existing ban on foreign money.
“We urge Republican politicians, who currently hold supermajorities in both chambers at the statehouse, to set aside their political agendas and pass an unadulterated bill that will ensure Joe Biden’s presence on the Ohio ballot,” she emphasized. “Despite the Republicans’ manipulative tactics, we remain optimistic that Joe Biden will secure his place in the Ohio ballot.”
Republican state House Speaker Jason Stephens emphasized the importance of ensuring that ballot issue campaigns are free from foreign influence while safeguarding the rights of citizens.
Stephens expressed their anticipation for practical solutions that can successfully navigate through both chambers next week and effectively address the prevailing issues.
In a statement, JD Vance, a fellow Republican and U.S. senator from Ohio, expressed support for the calling of a special session, describing it as a “reasonable compromise.”
Vance exuded confidence in former President Donald Trump’s ability to defeat Biden, regardless of whether he ran for office. However, he acknowledged that the lack of a competitive presidential race might lead some Trump voters to stay home, which could significantly impact the outcome of down ballot races for the Senate and Congress. Vance stressed the importance of strategic thinking, stating, “We need to play chess.”
In a statement, Alex M. Triantafilou, the chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, expressed strong support for DeWine’s decision.
Alabama has recently revised its law to guarantee the inclusion of Biden on the upcoming fall ballots. Similar accommodations were extended to the current president, Donald Trump, four years ago.
In 2004, Ohio lawmakers were summoned back to Columbus by Republican Gov. Bob Taft to deliberate on campaign finance reform. It was the last time such a directive was issued to the legislators.
