The Democratic Party is set to advance with a virtual roll call to select its presidential nominee before the convention convenes next month in Chicago, even though Vice President Kamala Harris is widely anticipated to succeed President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket.
The convention rules committee will convene on Wednesday to finalize the details of the virtual roll call. A draft plan, obtained by The Associated Press, does not specify the start date for virtual voting but indicates the process will conclude by August 7—12 days before the party’s convention begins.
Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison emphasized the importance of a transparent and efficient nomination process. “We are addressing this unprecedented moment with the seriousness it deserves,” Harrison stated during a conference call with reporters. “We are committed to a swift and fair process to ensure a unified Democratic Party with a nominee who aligns with our values.”
Harrison also assured that the party would handle the nomination process both promptly and equitably.
President Biden’s exit from the presidential race on Sunday, following concerns about his ability to handle the campaign and a challenging debate performance against Republican Donald Trump, has led to his endorsement of Harris as his successor. However, Harris will not be formally nominated until the delegates cast their votes.
To qualify for the virtual ballot, Harris and any other potential candidates must submit 300 electronic signatures from convention delegates, with no more than 50 signatures from any single state. Candidates will have a few days to garner support from delegates before the virtual vote takes place. Multiple voting rounds may be necessary, but the process must be completed by August 7.
This deadline aligns with the original qualification date for the presidential ballot in Ohio, though changes to this deadline will not take effect until September 1. The Democratic National Committee’s legal team has warned that delays could lead to legal challenges.
Although Biden’s withdrawal complicates the process, the plan for a virtual roll call remains unchanged. Harris is in a strong position, supported by numerous Democratic lawmakers, governors, and major unions. An Associated Press survey revealed that Harris has already secured more than the 1,976 delegates needed for a first-ballot nomination at the convention.
No major Democratic challengers have emerged, and Harris is expected to make history as the first woman of color nominated for president by a major party. Democratic National Convention Chair Minyon Moore noted that the tight timeline makes an in-person contested convention impractical. “An in-person, contested convention would be unfeasible given the need for a multi-round nomination process and subsequent vice presidential selection,” Moore explained. “Once we gather in Chicago, we will be united as a party.”
Rep. Maxwell Frost, a 27-year-old Florida Democrat, expressed on X that despite Harris’s strong support, the nomination process remains open to other candidates.
In 2020, the Democratic convention was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, and states used a virtual process to nominate Biden. The upcoming convention in Chicago will still feature a ceremonial state-by-state roll call, though the virtual vote is expected to have already determined the nominee.
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