Democratic National Committee to nominate Biden, Harris virtually ahead of Chicago convention

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is preparing to nominate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party nominees via virtual proceedings before Ohio’s Aug. 7 deadline, and before its in-person convention this summer in Chicago. 

Ohio requires its parties to certify presidential candidates at least 90 days before Election Day. The DNC won't certify Biden until its convention, which is scheduled for Aug. 19 – 75 days before the election.

The rare move comes as Ohio Senate lawmakers convened for a special session called by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday to address Biden's ability to appear on their general election ballot. Republicans, who hold supermajorities in the state House and Senate, have been opposed to passing a bill that would relax the deadline for Biden without a vote on unrelated campaign finance legislation that Democrats opposed.