Despite calls for more time to consider alternative nominees, Democrats are planning a virtual roll call vote weeks ahead of their national convention.
Democrats intend to formally renominate President Joe Biden through a virtual roll call vote during the first week of August, prior to the party's national convention. This decision comes despite protests from some party members who are advocating for more time to evaluate alternative nominees.
The plan was officially announced in a letter sent to Democratic National Committee (DNC) members on Wednesday morning, following weeks of internal debate about whether to stick with Biden after a lackluster debate performance.
Typically, parties nominate their presidential candidates during live roll call votes at their national conventions, which are often a highlight of these events. However, Democrats have planned an unusual pre-convention virtual roll call to avoid potential litigation in Ohio.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, co-chair of the Democratic National Convention's Rules Committee, clarified to reporters on Wednesday that the early nomination decision is unrelated to Biden's recent debate performance or concerns about his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump.
“This meeting on Friday has been scheduled for many months and was never intended to be the virtual roll call. It will set out the agenda as the Rules Committee moves forward,” Walz said, referring to the committee's upcoming meeting.
Virtual voting will commence after August 1 and must be concluded by August 7 to avoid potential legal issues under an Ohio law that sets that date as the deadline for parties to submit candidates' names for the November ballot.
Although Ohio officials claim the deadline issue has been resolved due to legislation passed earlier this summer, some Democrats remain skeptical.
“The issue is resolved in Ohio, and Democrat proxies know that and should stop trying to scapegoat Ohio for their own party’s dysfunction,” said Ben Kindel, spokesperson for Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican.
However, Democrats distrust the Republican-led Ohio government to follow through and are concerned about last-minute tactics that could remove Biden from the ballot. LaRose initially showed reluctance to adjust the deadline and has a history of aggressive disputes with Democrats.
The Ohio law amending the deadline will not take effect until September 1, leaving the original August 7 deadline on the books and potentially opening the door for litigation.
Biden's allies point out that Ohio’s Secretary of State previously stated that the issue needed resolution by early May for Biden’s name to be included on the ballot. Nonetheless, the Legislature did not pass the legislation until late May.
"We believe a virtual element is the wisest approach because it ensures ballot access ... and avoids potential risks if there is delay in the process," Walz and his Rules Committee co-chair, Bishop Leah Daughtry, wrote in their letter to DNC members.
"We know that the Republican Party and its affiliated groups ... plan on filing all conceivable legal challenges to the Democratic Party’s nominees," they continued. "Unless Democratic nominees for President and Vice President are selected and certified to Ohio by August 7, we are likely to face litigation about the efficacy of our filings." Photo by Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.