The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

States warn Biden could miss ballot. Dems say exceptions have been made for GOP.

Two Republican secretaries of states have told Democrats that their national convention is too late to certify Biden as a presidential candidate in their states

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April 11, 2024 at 3:28 p.m. EDT
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen (R) speaks during his inauguration ceremony on the steps of the Alabama State House on Jan. 16, 2023. (Butch Dill/AP)
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Democratic officials are looking at their options after Republican secretaries of state in Ohio and Alabama warned them that President Biden might not appear on their ballots in November because of the timing of his expected nomination at the Democratic National Convention.

Publicly, the Biden campaign is expressing confidence that he will appear on the ballot in both states. But the situation has created new headaches for Democrats and stoked distrust with election officials over what has long been considered an apolitical process.