President Biden dropping out could force an open convention at the DNC — here’s what that means
The Democratic National Convention in August could turn into an open convention if President Biden drops his re-election bid, reviving a long-gone practice of delegates choosing their candidate on the convention floor.
President Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race has set up the possibility of an open convention at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), where delegates could choose his successor as the Democratic nominee. With the DNC scheduled to begin on August 19, time is running out for potential candidates, as the deadline to get a nominee on the ballot in all 50 states is August 7, starting with Ohio.
Here's what we know about the potential for an open convention:
- How an open convention could be triggered: According to DNC rules, delegates pledged to a presidential candidate are expected to "in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them." However, with Biden out of the race, the delegates would be free to vote for any candidate who enters the race.
- Biden's endorsement of Kamala Harris: Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement on the Democratic ticket. However, DNC rules do not have a binding enforcement mechanism for the president's choice.
- Top candidates: Any Democrat eligible to become president could enter the race in an open convention scenario. As of now, no Democrats have officially thrown their hat in the ring. Harris is likely to have access to the fundraising dollars raised by the Biden-Harris campaign and already has name recognition and experience in the White House. Other potential candidates include governors and former first lady Michelle Obama, although she has repeatedly expressed no interest in politics.
- Voter involvement: The open convention would not involve voters directly in selecting Biden's replacement. However, delegates could consider polls and conduct voter outreach to gauge public opinion before casting their votes.
- Vice presidential nominee: The DNC has a separate nominating vote for the vice presidential nominee. The presidential candidates would likely present their VP choice for delegates to decide.
- Brokered convention scenario: In a brokered convention, Democratic candidates and their delegates would engage in behind-the-scenes deal-making to commit delegates to certain candidates. This could lead to multiple rounds of voting before a nominee is announced, as seen in past brokered conventions.
- Why an open or brokered convention might not happen: The DNC had planned to formally renominate Biden and Harris in a virtual roll call before the convention to comply with Ohio's deadline. If this plan proceeds and Harris or another candidate receives enough delegate votes, it would eliminate the possibility of an open or brokered convention. However, there are concerns about legal challenges to the new deadline, which could keep the nominee off the ballot in Ohio.
The latest updates on President Biden's decision to drop out of the race include live updates, reactions from Trump and other politicians, and a look back at Biden's political career.
Here's what we know about the potential for an open convention:
- How an open convention could be triggered: According to DNC rules, delegates pledged to a presidential candidate are expected to "in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them." However, with Biden out of the race, the delegates would be free to vote for any candidate who enters the race.
- Biden's endorsement of Kamala Harris: Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement on the Democratic ticket. However, DNC rules do not have a binding enforcement mechanism for the president's choice.
- Top candidates: Any Democrat eligible to become president could enter the race in an open convention scenario. As of now, no Democrats have officially thrown their hat in the ring. Harris is likely to have access to the fundraising dollars raised by the Biden-Harris campaign and already has name recognition and experience in the White House. Other potential candidates include governors and former first lady Michelle Obama, although she has repeatedly expressed no interest in politics.
- Voter involvement: The open convention would not involve voters directly in selecting Biden's replacement. However, delegates could consider polls and conduct voter outreach to gauge public opinion before casting their votes.
- Vice presidential nominee: The DNC has a separate nominating vote for the vice presidential nominee. The presidential candidates would likely present their VP choice for delegates to decide.
- Brokered convention scenario: In a brokered convention, Democratic candidates and their delegates would engage in behind-the-scenes deal-making to commit delegates to certain candidates. This could lead to multiple rounds of voting before a nominee is announced, as seen in past brokered conventions.
- Why an open or brokered convention might not happen: The DNC had planned to formally renominate Biden and Harris in a virtual roll call before the convention to comply with Ohio's deadline. If this plan proceeds and Harris or another candidate receives enough delegate votes, it would eliminate the possibility of an open or brokered convention. However, there are concerns about legal challenges to the new deadline, which could keep the nominee off the ballot in Ohio.
The latest updates on President Biden's decision to drop out of the race include live updates, reactions from Trump and other politicians, and a look back at Biden's political career.