How Democrats Will Choose a Nominee
The Democratic Party is just weeks away from formally nominating a candidate for president, and with some Democrats questioning President Biden’s candidacy, there are a few ways the nomination process could play out. If Mr. Biden stays in the race, he’s almost certain to become the nominee. If he withdraws before or after the party convention, things get more complicated.
If Biden Stay in the race
President Biden has rebuffed calls to step aside, and there is little time for a challenger to rally support. The party plans to hold a virtual vote to select a nominee in the weeks leading up to the convention. There is currently no other candidate in contention for the nomination.
A party committee will meet to determine the rules for the virtual conversation and the congress.
The party is holding the virtual vote.
To win, a simple majority of the delegates is required.
Nearly all of the approximately 4,000 Democratic
delegates have already been pledged to Mr. Biden.
It is technically possible, but unlikely that a
The challenger could file a petition to get on the ballot.
Biden wins the nomination.
Democratic National Convention
Biden accepts the nomination.
States finalize their ballots
End of August to September
Biden is on the ballot nationwide.
A party committee will meet to determine the rules for the virtual conversation and the congress.
The party is holding the virtual vote.
To win, a simple majority of the delegates is required.
Nearly all of the approximately 4,000 Democratic delegates have already committed to Biden.
Technically it is possible, but it is unlikely that a challenger could petition to get on the ballot.
Biden wins the nomination.
Democratic National Convention
Biden accepts the nomination.
States finalize their ballots
End of August to September
Biden is on the ballot nationwide.
If Biden withdraws Before the Convention
Donors, business leaders and some in his party have called on Mr. Biden to drop out of the race. If he does, the party could either maintain its planned virtual vote or move the nomination to the in-person convention. Mr. Biden could support an alternate, but delegates would vote in an open convention.
His promised delegates are released
to vote for another candidate.
Candidates compete for support.
A candidate needs signatures of at least 300
delegates who must appear on the ballot for the convention.
Democratic National Convention
To win the nomination, a candidate needs a simple majority of about 4,000 delegates.
If no candidate obtains a majority in the first round, approximately 700 so-called superdelegates can cast their votes in subsequent rounds.
The winner accepts the nomination.
States finalize their ballots
End of August to September
The first mail-in ballots will be sent out starting September 6, and in some states early voting will begin as early as September 20.
His promised delegates are released
to vote for another candidate.
Candidates compete for support.
A candidate needs signatures of at least 300
delegates who must appear on the ballot for the convention.
Democratic National Convention
To win the nomination, a candidate needs a simple majority of about 4,000 delegates.
If no candidate obtains a majority in the first round, approximately 700 so-called superdelegates can cast their votes in subsequent rounds.
The winner accepts the nomination.
States finalize their ballots
End of August to September
The first mail-in ballots will be sent out starting September 6, and in some states early voting will begin as early as September 20.
If Biden withdraws After the Convention
If Biden withdraws or does not run after the convention in August, the party has a process for naming an alternate nominee. At least one conservative group has raised the possibility of lawsuits challenging the replacement of a nominee so close to the election.
Democratic National Committee
chooses a new candidate.
The committee, which consists of state party leaders and state-appointed members
population to meet to select a replacement.
States finalize their ballots
End of August to September
Litigation may arise over changes to the vote.
The first mail-in ballots will be sent out starting September 6, and in some states early voting will begin as early as September 20.
The Democratic National Committee selects a new candidate.
The committee, made up of state party leaders and members assigned based on the state’s population size, meets to select a replacement.
States finalize their ballots
End of August to September
Litigation may arise over changes to the vote.
The first mail-in ballots will be sent out starting September 6, and in some states early voting will begin as early as September 20.
