The Democratic US presidential nominee will be confirmed through an electronic vote commencing Thursday, replacing the traditional in-person balloting at the party’s national convention.
Shortly after Joe Biden withdrew from the race, Kamala Harris, his 52-year-old vice president, emerged unchallenged as the sole Democratic candidate to face Republican Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.
Approximately 4,000 delegates, comprising grassroots activists and politicians from the primary process, submitted endorsements for Harris to feature in the five-day electronic voting.
With no other contenders contesting her nomination, Harris, as the first Black and South Asian woman, is set to secure a major party nomination with ease.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced that 99 percent of delegates endorsing Harris met the required 300-signature threshold, as no other candidate qualified.
DNC chair Jaime Harrison emphasized the historic significance of delegates voting for Harris and uniting behind a nominee with a strong track record.
Besides the pledged delegates, around 700 “superdelegates” are also eligible to vote due to their elected positions or party roles.
The voting process begins at 9:00 am (1300 GMT) Thursday, running until 6:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Monday, with delegates casting their votes through an online platform managed by the DNC.
During a campaign trail across crucial battleground states, the announcement of Harris’ running mate is anticipated, potentially kicking off in Pennsylvania.
The 2024 nomination system, following the virtual approach adopted in 2020 due to the pandemic, remains distinctive as states like Ohio impose deadlines for certified candidate submissions.
Details regarding the live streaming of the vote, public access to results, and the announcement timeline still remain undisclosed by the DNC.
While the virtual roll-call initiates the 2024 convention, the official festivities commence in Chicago on August 19, featuring ceremonial votes for Harris and her running mate.
Senator Raphael Warnock praised Harris at a rally in Atlanta, highlighting her diverse background and accomplishments as a representation of the American narrative.
AFP.