In response to the upcoming virtual roll call on President Joe Biden's nomination, a letter is circulating among Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill, calling for a delay in the process. At the same time, three former chairs of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) have sent a separate letter urging the committee to proceed with the virtual roll call.

Multiple sources familiar with the matter have confirmed the existence of the letter among House members, which argues that holding the vote too early would stifle debate and prematurely shut down any possible change in the Democratic ticket. Representatives Mike Levin and Susan Wild have already expressed their intention to sign the letter.

DNC chair Jaime Harrison has rebutted claims that the timeline for the virtual roll call has been accelerated, stating that the process remains on schedule as planned since May. The virtual roll call was initially adopted by the DNC to rectify a ballot certification issue earlier this spring. However, objections to Biden's candidacy following a presidential debate in June have prompted some to question the timing of the virtual vote.

The letter also cites concerns about potential legal challenges and difficulties in getting Biden's name on the ballot in Ohio. Ohio had previously extended its certification deadline to September 1, after the Democratic convention where Biden's nomination was expected. The letter argues that given this new deadline, there is no reason to proceed with an early nomination.

The virtual roll call and the early nomination of Biden could take place between July 21, when the DNC's Credentials Committee makes the final decision on the virtual process, and August 7, the original deadline for Ohio's ballot certification. The in-person DNC convention is slated to begin on August 19.

While staff with the Democratic convention have not yet trained delegates on any virtual roll call system, the plan for the virtual roll call's approval was set in motion by the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee in June. Former co-chairs Donna Brazile, Howard Dean, and Terry McAuliffe have sent a letter to the party's Rules Committee members, emphasizing the necessity of a virtual process to ensure that the Democratic nominees for President and Vice President appear on the ballot in every state and the District of Columbia.

However, there are also opposing voices within the Democratic National Committee. DNC member Jamie Selzler of North Dakota has openly criticized the virtual roll call, arguing that it could be perceived as silencing dissent and creating a backroom deal to expedite Biden's nomination. Selzler, along with several other DNC members, expresses concerns about deviating from the original plan to nominate the candidate at the convention.

The Biden campaign has responded to these concerns, stating that they will continue to pursue the virtual roll call to prevent any changes to the rules. Biden-Harris deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks emphasized the importance of not leaving the nomination process in the hands of Republican officials seeking to inject chaos.

As the debate among Democrats over the timing of the virtual vote intensifies, the future of the virtual roll call and Biden's early nomination remains uncertain.