Democratic rush to confirm Biden in ‘virtual vote’ sets up early test for opposition

Democrats are pushing ahead with plans to vote on President Biden as their nominee weeks before their convention, citing concerns over an Ohio ballot issue that was already resolved by the Republican-led state legislature six weeks ago.

“They tried to do a rule change,” Biden-Harris deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks told reporters here on Tuesday morning. “It is our obligation as a campaign to make sure that President Biden is on the ballot.”

The plan for a “virtual vote” grew out of Ohio’s relatively early ballot deadline. In May, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose warned the party that the Democratic National Convention, scheduled for mid-August, was set to miss the state’s Aug. 7 cut-off for candidates. Last month, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed legislation that moved back the deadline, removing the problem, while incorporating campaign finance changes that Democrats opposed.