Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has taken the initiative to convene a special session of the state's General Assembly to address the crucial issue of certifying President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee for the upcoming 2024 election. The urgency arises from the fact that Ohio's ballot deadline falls before the formal nomination ceremony at the Democratic National Convention in August.

Under Ohio law, both parties must certify their presidential candidates with the Secretary of State's office 90 days before the general election, which would be August 7 in this case. However, the Democratic National Convention, scheduled to take place in Chicago from August 19 to August 22, occurs after this deadline.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, had previously warned Ohio Democrats that legislation to extend the certification deadline needed to be presented and voted on by May 9. The House and Senate each proposed bills to address the deadline extension, but they reached a deadlock, causing the legislature to miss the previous deadline set by LaRose.

One of the main stumbling blocks is a provision in the Senate's bill, which Democrats oppose, that links the deadline extension with a ban on political campaigns accepting donations from foreign entities. The Senate passed its version of the bill on May 9, but House Speaker Jason Stephens adjourned without putting it to a vote.

Amid growing concerns and frustration, Governor DeWine announced a special legislative session to ensure that the issue is resolved promptly. At a news conference, he emphasized that Ohio is running out of time to include Biden on the ballot and called the situation "absurd." The special session will allow the General Assembly to pass legislation that guarantees the placement of both major party candidates on the state's November ballot while also prohibiting foreign nationals from contributing to campaign spending.

Ohio has had to make temporary fixes to accommodate both parties before each general election since changing its certification deadline from 75 days to 90 days before the election in 2010. Similar challenges were faced by former President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney in 2012, as well as Biden and Donald Trump in 2020.

While Alabama and Washington state waived the deadline to include Biden on their ballots, Ohio Democrats are accusing Republicans of intentionally delaying the process to suppress voters' choice. House Minority Leader Allison Russo suggested that DeWine's motivation is to "hold gerrymandered power" by pushing the deadline even further.

The Ohio Republican Party expressed its support for ensuring Ohioans' ability to choose their preferred major-party candidate and the importance of free elections free from foreign financial interests.

In response to the delays, Charles Lutvak, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, stated that Biden's name will be on the ballot in all 50 states and emphasized that states have consistently taken the necessary steps to include nominees from both parties.

The upcoming special session provides a crucial opportunity for Ohio to resolve the issue of certifying Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee for the state's ballot, ensuring that Ohioans will have the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidate in the November election.