ROUNDUP: Bipartisan Group of Top Election Officials Agree On Ballot Qualification Process Following Biden Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Following an announcement from President Joe Biden that he would no longer accept the Democratic nomination for president, top election officials across the political spectrum quickly made clear that American voters in all 50 states will have the opportunity to vote for the eventual Democratic nominee in the upcoming presidential election.

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen

“Major parties have until August 23, 2024 to certify to the Secretary of State’s office their Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates in accordance with Alabama Code Section 17-14-31. The Secretary of State’s office will certify lawfully submitted party certifications on August 28, 2024.” [FOX10 Mobile]

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes

“[The] ballot, technically, has not yet been created. There is ‘plenty of time’ to have it reflect whoever emerges as the Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said Sunday.” [Arizona Republic]

Georgia Secretary of State COO Gabriel Sterling

“Biden dropping out will not impact Georgia ballots. As the Democrats haven’t had a convention, there is no ‘nominee’ to replace. Trump/Vance will be on the ballot along with Oliver for the Libertarians. Whomever the Democrats nominate will be on as well.” [Twitter/X]

Idaho Deputy Secretary of State Jason Lehosit

“I’m not going to get too worked up over it because of the timing of the convention. The convention is in the middle of August. That’s going to be done in plenty of time for (the Democratic Party) to transmit us the names…I would say when you’re looking at the 50 states, I don’t think we’re going to be an issue…They have their convention Aug. 19 through Aug. 22. If they do change their presidential candidate, I’m sure it’s going to be in that window. They’re going to notify us who to put on the ballot, and it’s not going to be a problem for us.” [Stateline]

Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams

“Joe Biden is not the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party – no one is a presidential nominee until formally nominated pursuant to party rules – and thus will not appear on Kentucky ballots. Whomever the Democratic Party ultimately nominates will.” [Twitter/X]

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel

“As Michigan’s chief election officer and chief legal officer, we are committed to ensuring the security, transparency, and integrity of Michigan’s elections. That includes assuring voters that their respective party’s nominee for President will be on the ballot in November in accordance with Michigan law. Presidential candidates are certified to appear on Michigan’s general election ballot as a result of the outcome of their respective party’s nominating conventions. Under Michigan Election Law, the name of a party’s presidential and vice presidential nominees must be delivered to the Department of State from the political parties within one business day of the conclusion of the party’s convention. Beyond these requirements, the rules and regulations for nominating presidential candidates are governed entirely by the state and national parties. As planned and in accordance with state law, the Secretary of State will issue the formal call of the election by September 6, 2024 – 60 days before Election Day. Following that call, ballots will be printed and delivered on time to military and overseas civilians 45 days before the election as required by federal law.” [Michigan Department of State]

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon

“Misinformation has been circulating on social media sites stating that the presidential ballots in Minnesota and several other states have been finalized. This is not accurate. Minnesota law makes it clear that major political parties have until August 26, 2024 to report the names of their presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the November 5 General Election. (Sec. 208.03 MN Statutes) All elections, including presidential elections, are conducted by counties, cities, or townships. Our office will provide the list of major and non-major political party candidates to these local election offices after the August 26 deadline to ensure officials have enough time to prepare, proof, and print ballots. Voting in the November 5 General Election will begin on September 20. Minnesotans can find accurate, up-to-date election information any time at mnvotes.gov or by contacting their local election office.” [Minnesota Department of State]

Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson

“… [Candidates] must file all of the documents listed in the Candidate Qualifying Guide … and pay a fee, but one of the most important is the ‘Certificate of Nomination’ from their party’s national convention. This is why you saw such a push for President Biden to withdraw before the convention where he would become the official nominee. It makes it much easier for whomever is picked to replace him to appear on the ballot.” [Twitter/X]

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft

“Under Missouri Law, the Democratic National Convention is used to decide who their nominee will be for President…So legally, they have not transmitted to us President Joe Biden as their nominee, so they can still transmit whoever they want to.” [KCTV]

New Hampshire Secretary of State Communications Director Anna Sventek

“President Joe Biden is out of the 2024 presidential race. Is it too late for a new candidate to get on the general election ballot in New Hampshire? The short answer is no, according to Anna Sventek, communications director at the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office.” [Portsmouth Herald]

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver

“Let me set the record straight: The ballot deadline has not passed in New Mexico. New Mexico follows major party rules for the selection of presidential candidates and, as long as they meet the ballot deadline of August 27, 2024, whoever is nominated for president at the upcoming Democratic Convention will appear on New Mexico’s General Election ballot. I encourage voters to always seek out trusted sources of election information, like their county clerk or the Secretary of State’s office, and to verify information about voting and elections before repeating or reposting it.” [Los Alamos Reporter]

North Carolina State Board of Elections Public Information Officer Pat Gannon

“We will await the candidates who the Green Party and the Democratic Party nominate in August, and they will go on the ballot.” [WUNC]

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose

“… [T]he Ohio Legislature passed a temporary law change moving the deadline from 90 days before the election to 65 days. The DNC, any time before Sept 1, could decide to go with a different candidate – assuming they could get around bylaw and delegate restrictions.” [Twitter/X]

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt

“Under the Pennsylvania Election Code, the presidential and vice presidential nominees selected at the Democratic National Convention will appear on the general election ballot as the Democratic candidates for president and vice president…. Because the 2024 Democratic National Convention has not yet taken place, no nominees have been selected at this time.” [Pennsylvania Capital-Star]

Vermont Secretary of State Chief of Staff Bryan Mills

“But how would a last-minute dip from Biden impact the Nov. 5 general ballot in Vermont? At this juncture, it wouldn’t, said Chief of Staff Bryan Mills of the Vermont Secretary of State’s office. Mills explained that his office traditionally does not print general election ballots until after the Democratic National Convention in mid-August, which means Biden’s theoretical replacement could easily make the cut should the president step aside before then.” [Burlington Free Press]

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

“The Secretary of State’s Office confirmed Sunday it would still accept a letter from the Democratic National Committee by Aug. 20 attesting to their party’s nominee.” [Seattle Times]

Wisconsin Elections Commission

“The names of candidates for President and Vice President for these parties are placed on the General Election ballot when their names are certified by the state or national chairperson to the Wisconsin Election Commission no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024,” the WEC memo reads. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]