Alabama lawmakers pass legislation that will clear way for Biden to appear on state’s fall ballot

Alabama lawmakers have passed legislation that would allow President Joe Biden to appear on the state’s November ballot, after the Republican secretary of state warned that Democrats might miss a state deadline to formally name him as their nominee.

Alabama lawmakers have passed legislation that will allow President Joe Biden to appear on the state’s November ballot, after the Republican secretary of state warned that Democrats might miss a state deadline to formally name him as their nominee. The GOP-led state House overwhelmingly passed a bill Thursday to push back Alabama’s certification deadline from 82 days before the election to 74 days, which would give Democrats time to submit Biden’s name after he formally becomes the nominee at their national convention. The state Senate passed the legislation early last week, and Republican Gov. Kay Ivey plans to sign it, Gina Maiola, a spokesperson for the governor, told CNN. The latest move leaves Alabama one step closer to putting to rest a politically charged drama that may have otherwise turned into a legal battle between Democrats and state officials. Wes Allen, Alabama’s secretary of state, warned state Democrats and the Democratic National Committee last month that the timing of their national convention could conflict with the state’s certification deadline of August 15. The Democratic convention will take place August 19-22, while Republicans are holding their convention in July. Allen’s warning came days after election officials in Ohio flagged that the Democratic convention would take place after the Buckeye State’s August 7 deadline to certify presidential candidates.