Biden’s Risky Move Backfires, Excludes Him from First Primary State Ballot.

Biden’s ​Massive Gamble Led to Him Being Left Off Ballot in First Primary State

President Joe Biden’s campaign made a bold move this week by announcing that he ⁢won’t appear on the New Hampshire primary ballot in 2024. While he wasn’t successful in unseating the state from its​ first-in-the-nation‌ primary slot, this decision has added a new twist to the contest and created complications‍ for his campaign, state election officials, and voters.

The details of next year’s New Hampshire primary are still being determined, ⁤but the event is already taking shape. According to state law, ‍New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan has the exclusive authority to set⁢ the date for the primary,⁣ but he has yet to do so. Traditionally, the primary has been held the‌ Tuesday following the Iowa caucuses, which are scheduled for Jan. 15.

However, state law also states that the primary must be held at least seven days before any similar contest. The South Carolina Democratic primary on Feb.​ 3 is the earliest contest on the Democratic‍ National Committee’s official calendar, making Jan. 23 the only Tuesday that ‌fits within these parameters.

This move is the latest development in an ongoing dispute‌ within the Democratic Party over which states and regions should ⁢have the first ⁤say in determining the party’s presidential nominees. While Iowa and New Hampshire have traditionally kicked off the nomination process, other states have challenged their prime placement over‌ the years, resulting in a steadily earlier start to the primary ‌campaign season.

In 2020, Biden, ‌who​ placed fifth in New Hampshire, urged Democratic Party officials to rearrange the primary⁢ calendar with South Carolina in the lead-off position. His decisive win in ⁤the⁢ 2020 ‌South Carolina primary revitalized ⁤his campaign and set him on a path to⁢ secure the nomination. The DNC adopted his proposal, scheduling⁢ the South Carolina primary for Feb. 3, ⁣followed‍ by New Hampshire and Nevada on⁣ Feb. 6.

However, New Hampshire made it clear that it intended to maintain its first-in-the-nation‌ primary status, risking penalties ⁣from the DNC. Rather than defy⁤ the rules he advocated for, Biden chose not to appear on⁢ the New Hampshire primary ballot.

While Biden’s⁣ name won’t be printed on the ballot, some state Democratic leaders are ​organizing a write-in effort on his behalf. This isn’t unprecedented, as President ​Lyndon Johnson⁣ won the New Hampshire primary in 1968 as a ‌write-in candidate.

According to the secretary of state, ‍local officials will process ballots with write-in votes on election night ⁣and tabulate them along with votes for other candidates. The challenge lies in whether these write-in totals will be broken down by individual candidates on election night, as it is more common to release a ⁣cumulative total for all write-in candidates ⁤and provide a detailed breakdown later.

The larger question is how the national party will respond to New Hampshire Democrats holding their ‌primary earlier‍ than allowed. ⁤In the past, the DNC has taken various actions, such as stripping states of all⁢ their delegate votes or granting them reduced ‍voting rights at the national convention.

As the candidate filing period for the New Hampshire primary comes to a close, Biden’s absence from the ballot has certainly shaken up the race. The simplest path to appear on the ballot is to submit a Declaration of Candidacy and pay a $1,000​ filing fee. The​ crowded ​field in the 2020 primary, with ⁤33 Democratic and 17 Republican candidates, is ​a testament to the⁤ minimal filing requirements.

While Biden’s⁣ gamble may have left him off the ballot, the outcome of the New Hampshire primary‌ remains uncertain. The state’s influential Democrats and their role in turning out supporters in a swing state could influence how the national party handles the situation.

Ultimately, Biden’s decision not to ⁢appear ⁤on the ballot has injected excitement and intrigue into the first primary state, setting the stage for a compelling and closely watched contest.

The‍ Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered⁣ it prior to publication to ensure that​ it meets⁢ our editorial ⁣standards.

The post Biden’s Massive Gamble Led⁢ to Him Being Left Off⁢ Ballot in First Primary State appeared first on The Western ⁢Journal.

⁢ How might Biden’s decision⁤ not to appear on the New Hampshire ballot impact his overall support ‍in the state?

The results separately from the other candidates listed on the ballot. This means that if Biden receives‌ a significant number of write-in votes, it‌ could⁤ still provide a boost to his campaign and keep his momentum going into the later primary states.

However, not ⁢appearing on the ballot does ‌come​ with ⁣risks.⁢ Without his name listed, Biden will miss out on the⁤ visibility and legitimacy‍ that comes with being⁢ a candidate in the primary. It may also discourage some voters who ​rely on the⁣ ballot to make their decision,⁤ potentially⁤ impacting his overall support in the⁣ state.

Additionally, ⁢the decision⁤ not to appear on the New Hampshire​ ballot could send mixed messages to voters in other early ⁢primary states, such as⁣ Iowa and Nevada. By skipping one ‍of​ the earliest and most influential states, Biden could be seen ⁢as not taking the nomination process seriously or not wanting to compete in states where his chances​ of success may⁣ be ​lower.

Moreover, this decision adds another layer of complexity for state election officials. They will need to educate voters about the write-in process and ensure⁢ that the ballots are properly counted‌ and tabulated. This ​may require additional⁢ resources and efforts, diverting attention and resources from other aspects of the primary ⁢election.

Overall, Biden’s choice not to appear on ‍the New Hampshire primary⁤ ballot is a significant gamble. While it may free up⁤ his ‍campaign to focus on other early primary states, it also comes with potential drawbacks and complications. Only ⁤time will tell if this move pays off and helps Biden ‌secure ‍the nomination, or if it proves to be a misstep‍ that hinders his campaign. Regardless, it has certainly added an interesting twist to the already ⁣dynamic and competitive primary race.

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