After Alabama lawmakers fixed deadline to qualify, Democrats scramble to replace Joe Biden

Earlier this year, the Alabama Legislature advanced a bill that would issue a one-time fix for a timeline issue between the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention and the Alabama Secretary of State’s deadline for party candidates to qualify for the presidential election in November 2024.

State Democrats came forward after Secretary of State Wes Allen issued a warning statement to the party that Alabama’s deadline to certify candidates is August 15 despite the DNC being scheduled for August 19

After the passage of the legislation, supported by both Democrats and Republicans, the Secretary of State’s office will certify party candidates on August 23, four days after the Democratic National Convention nominating process.

President Pro Tem of the Alabama Senate Greg Reed (R-Jasper) reflected this week that the proactiveness of the Alabama Legislature was wise decision making on behalf of the state’s voters and their ability to choose their candidate in November – but Democrat disarray at the national level makes the decision all the more confusing for voters despite the breathing room afforded by a state legislative fix to the timeline issue.

“In Alabama, we believe in fair, free, and secure elections, and as a legislature we have passed a number of laws that reflect that ideal. Alabama Democrats elected Joe Biden as their party’s nominee. After it became apparent he could not defeat President Trump, his own party pushed him aside,” Reed said.

“Regardless of who Democrats ultimately tap as their Presidential nominee, Alabamians can clearly see the results of their disastrous policies: wide open borders, runaway inflation, and a weakened standing abroad. Alabama families were better off four years ago when President Trump was in office, and I look forward to our state firmly standing behind him in November.”

On Sunday, President Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election, leaving the Democrat party scrambling to find their presumptive nominee. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris after dropping out of the race — but as the DNC approaches, reports are circulating that others are planning to challenge Harris at the convention.

Most delegates attending the DNC have already pledged their support to President Biden. There is no rule-based structure that transfers delegates from Biden to Kamala ahead of the DNC.

Under Democratic National Convention rules, pledged delegates are bound to vote for the candidate they’re assigned. Now that Biden has withdrawn from the race, delegates are free to support whichever candidate they desire. The DNC rules committee will hold a zoom meeting on Wednesday at 2pm to discuss implementing a framework to select a presidential nominee.

A possible scenario is that the party will attempt to hold a pre-convention virtual vote before the nominating process begins. If the vote to support one candidate before the DNC fails, there could be an open convention. Any candidate at the DNC will have to receive the support of at least 300 delegates to become the party’s nominee.

So far, Vice President Harris has not received many of the key endorsements needed to become the Democrat Party’s presidential nominee.

Former President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries all issued statements on President Biden’s withdrawal, but did not endorse Kamala Harris for president. On Monday afternoon, Harris picked up an endorsement from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, signaling what is likely to be a field clearing efforts by Democrats to hold an uncontested convention.

The DNC will be held from August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois.

Grant Burdette is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News.