Washington State Election Official Warns Biden Could Be Left Off General Election Ballots Due to Deadline Conflict

The state of Washington has recently encountered a conflict that could potentially lead to President Joe Biden being left off the general election ballot. The conflict arises from the discrepancy between the Democratic National Committee's nominating convention and the state ballot deadlines.

The Director of Elections at the office of Washington's Secretary of State sent a notice to DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, informing that the state's ballot certification deadline on Aug. 20 clashes with the DNC convention, scheduled to take place in Chicago. While the state indicated willingness to make an exception if the party submits a provisional certification of nomination by the deadline, similar conflicts have been reported in Ohio and Alabama.

Republican Secretaries of State in Ohio and Alabama enforce similar codes

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen have also raised concerns about conflicts between their state's deadlines and the DNC convention, potentially jeopardizing Biden's nomination. This move by the red-state officials is seen as unprecedented and possibly partisan in nature, leveraging the issue against the Democratic nominees.

In response to the challenges in Ohio and Alabama, the Biden campaign is exploring several avenues to ensure the president's appearance on the ballot, including provisional certification, changes to election filing deadlines, litigation, and a virtual nomination ahead of the in-person convention.

Historical precedent and potential legal actions

Provisional certification has been granted to nominees of both major parties in the past, and the Biden campaign is considering legal action if provisional ballot certification cannot be achieved. In addition, legislative action might be pursued, as in previous instances where laws were passed to circumvent nomination deadlines.

The Biden campaign remains resolute in ensuring that the president will be on the ballot in both states, expressing confidence in their strategy and potential legal recourse. They have emphasized their commitment to resolving the issue and securing Biden's appearance on the ballot.