Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has stirred controversy by highlighting a clash between Ohio's presidential ballot laws and the schedule of the Democratic National Convention, where President Joe Biden is expected to be nominated for a second term, Washington Post reports.

According to Ohio law, the deadline to certify a presidential candidate for the state's Ohio general election is August 7, 90 days before the November 5 election. However, the Democratic National Convention, where Biden's nomination is anticipated, is slated for August 19, posing a logistical challenge.

Call for Action and Democratic Response

In a letter addressed to Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters, LaRose's chief legal counsel, Paul Disantis, outlined the conflict and urged the Democratic Party to seek clarification or advocate for legislative action to ensure compliance with Ohio law, Cleveland noted.

"The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to convene on August 19, 2024, which occurs more than a week after the August 7 deadline to certify a presidential candidate to the office," Desantis penned.

Call for "prompt attention to the matter," the Buckeye State's election official was "left to conclude that the Democratic National Committee must either move up its nominating convention or the Ohio General Assembly must act by May 9, 2024 (90 days prior to a new law's effective date) to create an exception to this statutory requirement."

DeSantis emphasized that the options available to Democrats include either advancing the date of the convention or securing an exemption for Joe Biden through legislation.

While the Ohio Democratic Party is reviewing the letter, there has been no official response from party leaders.

However, the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign expressed confidence that Biden would be included on the ballot in Ohio and all other states.

The timing dilemma presents significant implications for the upcoming election, particularly in a battleground state like Ohio.

While Trump secured victories in Ohio in both 2016 and 2020, the absence of a Democratic candidate on the ballot could impact voter turnout and influence down-ballot races.

Despite the challenges, Democrats face an uphill battle in Ohio, where Republicans hold sway in the state legislature.

It remains unclear whether legislative action to accommodate Joe Biden's nomination will materialize within the tight timeframe.

National Concerns and Democratic Strategy

The issue in Ohio adds to broader concerns within the Democratic Party regarding electoral strategies and voter outreach, according to Fox News.

As Democrats grapple with shifting demographics and fundraising challenges, internal debates have emerged over the efficacy of voter registration efforts.

A recent memo raised doubts about the party's traditional approach to voter registration, suggesting that blindly registering nonvoters could inadvertently bolster Trump's electoral prospects.

This internal discourse underscores the complexities facing Democrats as they navigate a fiercely contested political landscape.

As the deadline looms and tensions mount, Ohio officials and Democratic leaders must find a swift resolution to ensure the integrity of the Ohio general election process while upholding the party's interests in a critical battleground state.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Biden could be left off Ohio's general election ballot due to DNC timing, secretary of state warns - From WKYC Channel 3