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DEXTER, Mich. — The Democratic Party would face considerable challenges in replacing President Biden on the Michigan ballot, according to a county clerk — who’s a Democrat herself.
Michigan is a must-win state for Democrats, and it’s gone for the presidential winner in every election since 2008.
Former state legislator Barb Byrum tweeted Wednesday, “Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, here. To all of those calling for a change of candidacy in the Presidential Race, please note that the election administration community is going to have some serious issues with that.”
Byrum is highly connected in the Michigan Democratic party, having served in the statehouse representing the same district her mother represented previously.
She said the first obstacle to replacing Biden in Michigan is the legal deadline for placing candidates on the ballot — which is less than a month and a half away.
“To be clear, Michigan wouldn’t even be the worst of the problems. Our statute requires that a major party’s Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates be certified to the State within one business day of that party’s national or state convention, whichever is later,” she wrote.
“The Democrats are holding their National Convention from August 19-22 and their Michigan State Convention on August 24th. The deadline is therefore August 26th.”
This means if Democrats wish to replace Biden, they’ll have to rush the process to compete in Michigan.
The deadline for getting ballots to military and absentee voters is also fast approaching.
As Byrum noted, “Ballots to Military and Overseas voters must go out by September 21st, 2024 and [absentee voter] Ballots must be available to Michigan Voters by September 26th, 2024 by law.”
Even more concerning for those wanting to replace Biden on the ballot, Byrum says this deadline may have even passed in other states.
“My cursory understanding of other states is that that deadline may already have passed for some states, or may be in the VERY near future.”
In the unlikely event Democrats push through their replacement in time to meet these deadlines, their difficulties would not even end there.
Byrum added that “you would almost assuredly see lawsuits flying fast and often in any number of states, if they attempt to make a change.”
These lawsuits, as well as the need to test election equipment, would create delays that “may impact local clerks’ ability to meet their statutory deadlines,” Byrum said.
Given all the obstacles to replacing Biden as the nominee, it would be a tremendous accomplishment for the party to do it in enough states to win the election.
In recent days, Nancy Pelosi and other prominent Democrats have indicated they’re open to the possibility of Biden stepping aside for another candidate. But Democrats will have to scramble if they want a new nominee.