Alabama’s secretary of state, Wes Allen, expressed concerns on Tuesday regarding President Joe Biden‘s potential absence from the state’s ballot due to a scheduling conflict with the Democratic Party’s convention.
The state’s certification deadline of August 15 clashes with the commencement of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), leaving insufficient time for Biden’s nomination to be processed.
In a letter addressed to Alabama Democratic Party chairman Randy Kelley, Allen emphasized the importance of meeting the certification deadline for Biden’s inclusion on the ballot.
He outlined that failure to receive a valid certificate of nomination from the Democratic Party following its convention would result in an inability to certify the names of the Democratic Party’s candidates for President and Vice President for the 2024 general election.
Kelley acknowledged the issue and informed The Associated Press that he had reached out to the DNC to explore potential solutions. One option under consideration is the submission of a provisional certification by the party to ensure Biden’s ballot access.
Responding to the concerns raised by Alabama officials, the Biden campaign issued a statement affirming confidence in Biden’s presence on the ballot in all 50 states.
They highlighted the precedent of provisional certification being granted by state officials prior to the conclusion of presidential nominating conventions, citing examples from previous elections.
Alabama law stipulates that the names of presidential nominees must be submitted 82 days before the election.
Notably, the Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature had adjusted the certification deadline for the 2020 election to accommodate the Republican National Convention’s schedule, but this change was specific to that year and did not apply beyond.