Harris Unchallenged as Democrats Cast Votes for Presidential Nominee

Kamala Harris will be officially confirmed as the Democratic US presidential nominee through an electronic vote starting Thursday, replacing the traditional in-person balloting that typically begins the party’s national convention.

Following Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the reelection race, Harris, the 52-year-old vice president, is now the sole Democratic contender facing Republican Donald Trump in November. Nearly 4,000 delegates, who were selected during the primary process, have submitted signatures supporting Harris for the ballot in the five-day electronic vote.

With no other Democrats challenging her nomination, her confirmation as the first Black and South Asian woman to lead a major party’s ticket is expected to be a formality.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) reported that Harris received support from 99 percent of delegates who signed petitions, while no other candidates met the required 300 signatures.

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison emphasized the historical significance of the vote, stating, “Our delegates have an important responsibility — and opportunity — to cast their history-making ballots for Vice President Harris, ensuring she will be on the ballot in every state this November.”

In addition to the pledged delegates, around 700 “superdelegates”—elected officials and party leaders—will also vote. The roll call begins at 9:00 a.m. (1300 GMT) Thursday, with delegates having until 6:00 p.m. (2000 GMT) Monday to cast their votes via an online platform managed by the DNC.

Results may be announced late Monday as Harris starts a campaign tour across seven key battleground states with her yet-to-be-announced running mate. Initial reports suggest she will begin in Pennsylvania on Tuesday.

The DNC has not confirmed whether the vote will be livestreamed or if results will be made public before the end of the voting period. The virtual roll call officially kicks off the 2024 convention, although celebrations will begin in earnest when thousands of grassroots activists gather in Chicago on August 19.

The convention will feature ceremonial votes for Harris and her running mate in Illinois, celebrating her rise from state politics to the top of the ticket. Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock praised Harris’s diverse background at a rally in Atlanta, stating, “She brings all of those strands together. She sees us because, in a real sense, she is all of us.”