A majority of Democratic Party delegates have committed to casting their presidential nomination ballots for Vice President Kamala Harris (D), according to a Democratic delegate survey by the Associated Press. Harris is now all-but-certain to win the nomination, and is therefore the presumptive Democratic nominee. She would normally be nominated at the Democratic National Convention, which will be held August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois. The party had been considering a “virtual nomination” earlier in August, but it is unclear if those plans will move forward.
Harris served as District Attorney of San Francisco, California, from 2004 to 2011, Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017, and U.S. Senator from California from 2017 to 2021. She unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, but later joined the party’s ticket as running-mate to future President Joe Biden (D). Harris has served as Vice President of the United States since Biden took office in 2021.
Harris is mixed-race African American and Indian American. She was the first woman, first African American, and first Indian American vice president. If elected president, she would be the first woman, second African American, and first Indian American to serve in that office.
Biden, the incumbent president, became the presumptive Democratic nominee in March when he won an outright majority of the party’s convention delegates. In a dramatic turn of events on Sunday, Biden announced he would end his reelection campaign. Less than an hour later, he endorsed Harris to be the nominee in his place. It was initially unclear if Harris would face any serious opposition; Biden’s pledged delegates are free to vote for whomever they wish and a contested nomination was possible. The party, however, appears to be rallying behind Harris.
Harris will likely face former President Donald Trump (R) in the November general election. Trump won the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention last week.
Update, July 26, 2024: The Democratic Party’s Rules Committee has decided to move forward with a “virtual nomination.” According to party officials, if only one candidate qualifies by the June 30 deadline, the nomination will likely occur on Thursday, August 1. If multiple candidates qualify, the nomination will likely occur on Saturday, August 3. Harris remains all-but-certain to win in either case.
Update, July 30, 2024: It appears likely that Harris will be the only candidate to reach the necessary requirements to qualify for the ballot. Unless that changes, the nomination vote is expected on Thursday, August 1.
Update, August 3, 2024: The process for the “virtual nomination” was not clearly reported before it began. Voting is in progress, and results will not be reported until after balloting ends at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 5.