WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic Party will proceed with a virtual roll call allowing delegates to select a presidential nominee before their in-person convention in Chicago next month, with Vice President Kamala Harris now a top contender following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race.
The convention rules committee is set to convene on Wednesday to finalize the details of the virtual roll call, with a draft plan indicating that the process will be completed by Aug. 7.
No specific start date for the virtual roll call is listed, but Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison assured that the nomination will be carried out swiftly and fairly.
“We can and will be both fast and fair as we execute this nomination,” Harrison stated on a conference call with reporters.
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The party has outlined that the virtual roll call may involve multiple rounds of voting on nominees, requiring candidates to secure the electronic signatures of 300 convention delegates to qualify.
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to commence in-person on Aug. 19 in Chicago, with state delegations showing overwhelming support for Harris following Biden’s announcement.
After endorsing Harris upon exiting the race, Biden spent considerable time on Sunday rallying support for her candidacy among party leaders, lawmakers, labor unions, and advocacy organizations to solidify her nomination.
Harris has garnered endorsements from numerous Democratic figures, governors, unions, and state delegations, positioning her as a strong contender for the party’s nomination.
Biden’s departure and support of Harris came after concerns were raised about his campaign’s viability following a lackluster debate performance against Donald Trump.
In light of Ohio’s ballot deadline, the Democratic Party previously announced the use of a virtual roll call to meet the requirement, a measure that remains in place despite legislative changes in Ohio.
The virtual nomination process adopted in 2020 due to the pandemic will precede a ceremonial state-by-state roll call at the convention in Chicago next month.
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