Topline
Nearly 4,700 Democratic delegates began voting Thursday to formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as their 2024 presidential nominee, marking the culmination of a chaotic and divisive month for the party in the wake of President Joe Biden’s consequential June 27 debate performance against former President Donald Trump.
Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage for a campaign event at the Georgia State Convocation … [+]
Key Facts
The Republican and Democratic parties typically nominate their candidates at their respective conventions, but Democrats are holding an early, virtual roll call this year to adhere to a since-modified Ohio law that required candidates to be formally nominated 90 days before the Nov. 5 general election in order to be placed on the ballot.
The party will announce the results when voting concludes Monday at 6 p.m. EDT, though Harris is all-but-certain to clinch the nomination as 99% of delegates had pledged to support her after Biden dropped out, before virtual voting began.
Biden had won nearly 3,900 of 4,000 “pledged” delegates (who are obligated, but not legally beholden to supporting their state’s primary winner) when he bowed out of the race on July 21 and endorsed Harris.
As expected, the majority of Biden’s delegates quickly coalesced around Harris and vowed to support her by the end of the day on July 22.
Delegates only have the option of voting for Harris, after none of her three long-shot challengers—Robert C. Wells Jr., Gibran Nicholas and Ralph Robbie Hoffman—secured support from the minimum 300 delegates the party requires to qualify for the ballot.
When Is The Democratic National Convention?
Aug. 19-22 in Chicago.
Will Biden Be At The Democratic National Convention?
Yes, he’s the keynote speaker on opening night.
When Will Harris Select Her Running Mate?
She’s expected to make the announcement by Monday and appear alongside her No. 2 for the first time on Tuesday in Philadelphia for the start of a multi-day swing state tour. The location could offer a major hint about who she might select, as the state’s Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, is among about a dozen Democrats being vetted for the role.
Tangent
Democrats are moving forward with the early roll call despite Ohio easing its deadline, citing concerns that Ohio Republicans could still pose legal challenges to prevent Biden from appearing on the ballot since the law doesn’t take effect until Sept. 1. Ohio state officials have insisted the party’s concerns are misplaced, and Democrats don’t need to choose a nominee until September.
Key Background
Biden’s endorsement of Harris allowed Democrats to avoid several dramatic and unprecedented scenarios involving a rushed, multi-candidate race for the nomination. The party has quickly coalesced around Harris after weeks of turmoil—and Biden’s initial resistance to drop his re-election bid—following the June 27 debate. In addition to securing support of almost all Democratic delegates, all Democratic governors and the vast majority of Democrats in Congress have endorsed Harris.
Further Reading
Trump Vs. Harris 2024 Polls: Harris Leads Trump In 3 Surveys This Week (Forbes)
2022 midterms, 2024 presidential campaign, the January 6 House committee investigation, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster, the 2023 State of the Union Address, former President Donald Trump’s federal election interference and classified documents cases and his Manhattan hush money case. Dorn graduated in 2012 from the University of Dayton with a degree in journalism. Prior to joining Forbes, she covered New York City and state politics for the New York Post and City and State magazine. Follow her for updates and analysis on the 2024 presidential race, key Senate and House races and developments in Congress and at the White House.
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