In a move to meet an upcoming ballot certification deadline in Ohio, the Democratic Party has announced plans to virtually nominate President Biden and Vice President Harris before their scheduled convention in late August, according to CBS News.

The decision means that the quadrennial meeting, known for its drama and anticipation, will once again be conducted over Zoom instead of in person. Despite the virtual nomination, the convention itself is expected to proceed as planned.

The urgency to nominate the Democratic ticket stems from Ohio's Republican Governor, Mike DeWine, who has called for a special session to potentially change state ballot requirements. Prior negotiations between Democrats and Republicans failed to reach a resolution during the regularly scheduled session in Columbus, prompting Gov. DeWine's actions.

Gov. DeWine expressed concern over the time constraints, stating that Ohio is rapidly running out of time to include Joe Biden, the current sitting President of the United States, on the ballot this fall. He deemed the situation "ridiculous" and "absurd" and stressed that failing to take swift action is simply unacceptable.

The Democrats' convention is slated to take place from August 19th to 22nd, missing Ohio's current ballot deadline. To circumvent any confusion and ensure the inclusion of their candidates on the Ohio ballot, DNC officials have announced that the party's rules and bylaws subcommittee will vote on Tuesday to recommend virtual nominations for the president and vice president. This approach mirrors the virtual nominations that took place in 2020 due to the severe restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison emphasized the importance of securing Biden's presence on the Ohio ballot, stating, "Joe Biden will be on the ballot in Ohio and all 50 states, and Ohio Republicans agree. But when the time has come for action, they have failed to act every time, so Democrats will land this plane on our own." Harrison further added that the virtual roll call nomination will prevent Republicans from undermining the democratic process through incompetence or partisan tactics, and ensure that Ohioans can exercise their right to vote for the presidential candidate of their choice.

Despite the virtual nomination, DNC officials maintain that the Chicago convention will still serve as a crucial gathering event for Democrats nationwide.