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How Democrats Would Pick a New Candidate

July 21, 2024 · 8:54 am ET · Leave a Comment

“If President Biden decides to end his campaign for re-election, as dozens of members of his party have demanded, there are two paths for replacing him at the top of the Democratic ticket,” the Washington Post reports.

“One is a virtual vote that would lock in a new nominee in early August, and the other is an “open” convention, a scenario the party hasn’t experienced since 1968.”

“A convention is open when no candidate arrives with a clear majority of delegates, so the event turns into a mini-primary in which contenders scramble to persuade delegates to vote for them.”

“The potential for chaos is high, and the time is short. Some states have August deadlines to get on the ballot for the general election, and early voting begins in some places in September. So party leaders probably would try to settle the nomination before the Democratic National Convention begins Aug. 19.”

Dan Pfeiffer: What happens if Biden steps aside?

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Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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