Ohio lawmakers are at odds over effort to ensure Biden appears on November ballot

An effort to ensure that President Joe Biden is on Ohio’s general election ballot stalled Wednesday in the state Legislature, raising the likelihood of legal action to resolve the issue.

It's the latest twist in what has usually been a straightforward move to fix conflicts between late conventions and state election laws in the past.

This time, with their own convention scheduled for July, Republicans appear less inclined to help Democrats without something for themselves in return.

In a party-line vote, the Republican-controlled Ohio state Senate advanced a bill that would relax a pre-convention deadline for Democrats to certify Biden as their nominee — while also outlawing foreign contributions to state ballot measurecampaigns.

The attachment of the latter provision means the state Senate bill conflicts with a state House fix that was introduced this week and included no such conditions. The state House version would allow Biden’s name to appear on the ballot while also allowing more time and flexibility for political parties to certify presidential nominees in future elections.

After the state Senate voted on its measure Wednesday, the Republican-led state House adjourned without considering either version.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, warned Democrats last month that Biden was in danger of not qualifying for the state’s November ballot because the party’s nominating convention is scheduled to occur after the Aug. 7 deadline for certifying candidates.

LaRose has said a legislative fix passed without an emergency clause must be in place by the end of the day Thursday for it to take effect by the deadline. A state House GOP spokesperson declined to say Wednesday if votes on the legislation