In a strategic move to secure his place on Ohio's ballot for the upcoming general election, President Joe Biden will be officially nominated as the Democratic presidential nominee through a virtual roll call. The decision comes as the Democratic National Convention, where Biden would typically be formally nominated, falls after Ohio's ballot deadline of August 7th.

To address this conundrum, Ohio lawmakers have been called to a rare special session by Governor Mike DeWine. While they have previously adjusted the deadline for candidates of both parties, no action had been taken yet for Biden this year. The virtual roll call will provide Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with the party's formal approval, utilizing a process similar to the one employed during the virtual 2020 convention due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the virtual nature of the roll call, Democrats plan to uphold the tradition of a state-by-state roll call, which is a prominent component of nominating conventions. However, details regarding the in-person roll call in Chicago remain unclear and are expected to be largely ceremonial.

The specific date for the virtual roll call has not been announced yet, but it is expected to take place in the weeks following the Democratic National Committee's rules and bylaws committee vote on proposed changes to the roll call process, which is scheduled for June 4th.

Democratic National Committee Chairman, Jaime Harrison, expressed determination to ensure Biden's appearance on the Ohio ballot, emphasizing that Democrats will take action independently if necessary. Harrison stated, "Through a virtual roll call, we will ensure that Republicans can't chip away at our democracy through incompetence or partisan tricks and that Ohioans can exercise their right to vote for the presidential candidate of their choice."

Meanwhile, Ohio lawmakers convened on Tuesday for the special session, with negotiations already underway between the House and Senate to resolve Biden's ballot challenge. Republican State Representative Bill Seitz and State Senator Rob McColley are leading the discussions, although no resolution has been announced as of yet.

Notably, Ohio has had to adjust its certification deadline twice before, in 2012 and 2020, to accommodate candidates from both major parties. However, reaching a solution this time has proven more complicated due to the influence of voters through the ballot initiative process and the partisan makeup of the chambers.

Amidst these discussions, the Senate recently added a prohibition on foreign nationals donating to Ohio ballot campaigns to its version of the ballot fix, halting progress. Governor DeWine has urged legislators to pass a combination measure during the special session, but Democrats have expressed concerns over additional requirements that could impede future ballot campaigns in the state.

As the special session unfolds, the Senate and House alike strategize on how to address the issue. The Ohio Senate plans to convene on Tuesday and potentially recess to await the House, while the House intends to begin with two days of committee hearings before voting on Thursday, interpreting Governor DeWine's proclamation.

By utilizing a virtual roll call, President Biden aims to secure his place on the Ohio ballot, ensuring that Ohioans have the opportunity to vote for their preferred presidential candidate in the forthcoming election.