MONTGOMERY — The Senate approved legislation on Tuesday allowing President Joe Biden to appear on Alabama ballots in the November general election as the Democratic candidate for president.
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen notified the Alabama Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee recently 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.
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.
The bill approved by the Senate on Tuesday would alter that requirement and allow political parties to certify candidates 74 days, instead of 82 days, before an election. Under the legislation, the DNC would have enough time to nominate Biden and Kamala Harris to appear as the Democratic Party’s nominees in Alabama as president and vice president by the new deadline.
“This is an opportunity for all people in the state of Alabama to get a chance to support the candidate of their choice,” State Sen. Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham) said on the Senate floor on Tuesday.
The bill now heads to the House for their consideration.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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