The Alabama House of Representatives is expected to pass a bill allowing President Joe Biden to appear on the state's presidential ballot after the Democratic Party learned it would not have sufficient time to certify a candidate.
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen recently notified the Alabama Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee that they must provide a certification of nomination for president and vice president of the United States by Aug. 15, 2024, to appear on Alabama's general election ballot.
The legal certification deadline for a candidate to appear on the November 5 Alabama ballot is August 15. The Democratic National Convention does not start until August 19, pointing out that when President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are nominated by their convention, it would be after the Alabama ballot deadline.
Senate Bill 324 (SB324) by State Sen. Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham) would require all political parties to certify candidates 74 days, rather than 82 days, before an election. The bill passed the Senate last week and is the only one on the calendar for Tuesday's House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee meeting.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) told reporters on Thursday that he expects the bill to pass the House but did not know when it would hit the floor for a vote.
"I think, from our side as Republicans, we want to make sure we have a strong showing, and it sort of helps us, I think, in District 2 to have someone on the ballot," Ledbetter said.
Alabama GOP chairman John Wahl also supported the legislation.
"We reject the attempts of the Democrat Party to obstruct the electoral process and deprive voters of their right to make an informed decision at the ballot box," Wahl said. "Let's be clear, it is the Democrat Party that invokes the power of government to target their political opponents, not the Republican Party. In stark contrast, Republicans believe in standing for fairness and integrity, and we remain committed to protecting voters and defending their right to choose their representatives freely, without interference or manipulation."
Earlier this month, Allen wrote in a letter to Randy Kelley, chair of the Alabama Democratic Party, "It has recently come to my attention that the Democratic National Convention is currently scheduled to convene on August 19, 2024, which is after the State of Alabama's statutory deadline for political parties to provide a certificate of nomination for President and Vice President."
"If this Office has not received a valid certificate of nomination from the Democratic Party following its convention by the statutory deadline, I will be unable to certify the names of the Democratic Party's candidates for President and Vice President for ballot preparation for the 2024 general election," he added.
Allen cited the Alabama code section 17-14-31(b) in his letter, stating that the parties must certify their candidates "no later than the 82nd day preceding the day fixed for the election." Because the general election for president and vice president will be held nationwide on Tuesday, November 5, the 82nd preceding day would be August 15, four days before the National Democratic Convention begins.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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