July 21, 2024
President Biden withdraws from the 2024 presidential election race
Biden immediately backed Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's nominee. Biden's endorsement encourages the delegates to vote for Harris, but they aren't required to vote for her.
“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.”
Vice President Kamala Harris In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter
A possible virtual vote
Prior to Biden's announcement, the Democratic Party was considering holding a virtual vote of delegates before the official Democratic National Convention, set to take place Aug. 19-22.
Party leaders appear to be quickly lining up to support Harris
If the party holds the virtual vote and Harris receives a majority of the delegates' votes, she would become the Democratic presidential nominee. | Learn more
If no candidate receives a majority, the nominee would be selected in an open convention
If the virtual vote is held but a majority winner does not emerge, the decision moves to the August convention. | Learn more about an “open convention”
Facing off against Trump and Vance
The Democratic Party faces a tight timeline to coalesce around a new nominee and mount a competitive general election campaign against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance.
Up next
Meet the Democrats who could replace Biden
Numerous party officials have said they support Harris to replace Biden as the party’s standard-bearer against Trump. But others want to open next month’s Democratic National Convention to other nominations. | These are the likeliest contenders.