Ballot Process Following President Joe Biden’s Withdraw From Race

As President Joe Biden announces he is ending his re-election bid, many people wonder about the November presidential ballot and what it will look like for voters.

Oklahoma has one of the shortest early voting periods, so the ballots have not even been printed yet. Even so, until a candidate is certified by their party, their name is not on the ballot.

“As long as Vice President Harris is our nominee it doesn't change a lot for ballot access in Oklahoma, we just have a new candidate to rally behind," said Alicia Andrews, Democratic Party Chairwoman.

While it’s looking like Harris could be the new Democratic candidate for president, she still needs the official nomination.

“She was already on our ballot, so she doesn't have to do anything different,” Andrews said. “There will be something different when she comes up with who her running mate is and I honestly don't know what that is. We haven't had anything like that happen in 50 years.”

Democrats and Republicans will tell the Secretary of State who their nominees are after their conventions. However, some lawmakers say a change this late doesn't sit well with some voters.

“The crux of it is the Democratic party is being very undemocratic about it because the millions of people aren't going to get to vote on it, it's the 3000 or so or 4000 people, delegates that are there,” said Former Oklahoma Republican Senator Kyle Loveless. “It's going to be up to them.”

But whoever Democrats choose, voters will have a say in November.

"We will still do our rollcall vote, we will still go to convention, and we will nominate a president and vice-presidential nominee,” Andrews said. “We will rally behind those folks and keep the White House in November.”

Each party has until August 21 to certify its' candidates for president and vice president. As far as independent candidates, that deadline has passed and here in Oklahoma, there are two, Robert F. Kennedy Junior and Chris Garrity.