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Joe Biden is not the official Democratic nominee until he is officially elected by party delegates
Balloons. Confetti. Sign. Big hat. It is the moment that many Americans – or at least those election enthusiasts among us – have been waiting four years for. It’s conventional season.
We will start new week things with the Democratic National Convention, with four days of celebrations leading up to the main event: the crown of the presidential nominee.
Of course, things will look a little different this year.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s convention, Covid-19 changes and everything.
What is the Democratic National Convention?
Do you remember seeing Hillary Clinton stunned at a stream of blue balloons, like an onslaught of confetti greeting Barack Obama on stage? Those were the most important moments of democratic conventions past.
In essence, this is where the Democratic Party comes together in a general election year to formally nominate its candidates – and hype.
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You might be thinking, ‘is Joe Biden not the nominee?’
Yes – and no. He is certainly the presumptive Democratic candidate, but things are not party official until they announce themselves at the convention.
Party members will distinguish the Democratic platform of 2020, the list of party values and policy priorities they believe distinguishes them from their rival Republicans.
OK, so where’s the 2020 convention?
The short answer: In the Midwestern state of Wisconsin, in the Wisconsin Center in the city of Milwaukee.
The long answer: Milwaukee, but also nationally.
Covid-19 restrictions and fears mean the 2020 convention will be held across the U.S., although planners say it will be “anchored” in Milwaukee. The convention will be streamed on the Democratic Party’s social media channels and broadcast live on most American news channels.
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The last day of the 2016 Democratic Convention
Will Joe Biden be at the conference?
Planners say they have collected nearly 1,000 crowd-sourced videos to be shown during the four conventional nights, each of which will have a theme following the unification of America.
Those nocturnal themes, in order, are: We the people, leadership issues, a more perfect union, and the promise of America. There will also be a number of segments aimed at the proper introduction of Biden to voters – and contrast his vision with the “chaos” of the Trump presidency.
However, this year we will not see the sea of delegates and passionate party members. Officials said the “reimagined roll-call process will take conventional viewers to all 57 states and territories” in a 30-minute segment on Tuesday.
Also, do not expect to see Biden on stage. The presumptive nominee will take over Thursday night from his home state of Delaware, though the exact location and format is still under wraps.
- Pray to accept remote nomination over fears of viruses
How long is the Democratic National Convention?
We have four days convention time to look forward to from August 17-20.
But forget the traditional calendar with days full of speeches, receptions and gatherings. This year we get a short primetime coverage every night from 9pm to 11pm EDT.
What about Covid-19 measures?
Okay, time for the question everyone is thinking: how do you host an event like this in a pandemic?
In a word – at a distance. Planners say the only people who will attend in person will be the ones needed to orchestrate the event. In any case, these numbers will be far, far less than the 50,000 attendees who first expected.
Previously, Covid-19 regulated for convention wearers to wear a mask, exercise social distance and undergo daily tests.
Who are the speakers this year?
The lack of balloons and big hats is disappointing to be sure, but there is still reason to agree. There are a number of high profile speakers that may interest you.
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Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have both been nominated to speak this year. Senator Bernie Sanders is scheduled to address the virtual crowd Monday night.
Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and the 2016 nominee, will take a prime time slot on Wednesday night, as did Senator Elizabeth Warren. Former President Bill Clinton also spoke.
Whoever ends Biden’s vice-presidential election will also have a chance to address the nation – their acceptance speech will close Wednesday’s events.
While you may not recognize some of the other names, local leaders who sparkle on screen could rise up to become future party leaders – as presidents.
Think of Obama’s speech in 2004 – that’s when the future president was first in the national spotlight.
Also of note this year is a Republican and Trump critic, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, will address the convention.
Will it just be politicians who speak?
Don’t worry – you will also hear from ordinary, relatable Americans.
This kind of involvement with voters is typical convention post, but this year their votes will be broadcast on the first television instead of mingling with days of festive events.
Planners have promised “fewer people behind the scenes – and more people in living rooms, on factory floors, at small businesses, and in schools and city squares.”
This line-up includes educators, gun safety attorneys, health care workers, and even some former Republicans.
We will hear from a Pennsylvania farmer, Rick Telesz, who voted for Trump in 2016 but changed his mind after his family business suffered amid the president’s trade war. Another highlighted voice this year is gun safety attorney DeAndra Dycus, an Indiana mother whose 13-year-old son was shot and injured at a birthday party.
And it will probably not be just Democratic voters who join the e-party: expect performances by celebrities. In 2016, we heard from actresses Meryl Streep and Lena Dunham, cabaret artist Sarah Silverman and got a musical performance from Alicia Keys.
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Alicia Keys performed at the 2016 Democratic Convention
How is the candidate chosen?
If you’ve been through the primary election season so far, you know why the nomination vote is a formality for Biden. (If you need a refresher on all things primary and caucus, check out our explorer here.)
Delegates from across the nation will vote at the convention for the candidate who won their Democratic primary as caucus.
They are technically not required to do this, but at least this year the options are rather limited with only Biden still in the running.
As for the delegates who were promised to other candidates who have since been withdrawn from the race, they are free to vote as they please.
This delegation system began in the 1970s – before that, nominees were selected only by party members at the convention.
But who are the delegates?
So you want to know more about the nitty-gritty behind the delegate system? Let’s break it.
There are two types: state law delegates and superdelegates.
The former are, as the name already suggests, elected at the state level to vote for a candidate at the national convention. Democratic state delegates – typically party activists or other local leaders – are divided proportionally, based on how much of the state vote went to each candidate.
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Mr. Biden takes the stage at the 2016 Convention
There are 3,979 Democratic delegates available during the primaries, and a candidate must win a majority of them – 1,991 – to be nominated. Biden won more than 2,600 during the primary process making him the de facto nominee.
What about the superdelegates? This time, you do not have to worry about these high-profile party grandees (think former presidents and capitals of Washington). After criticism of the 2016 match, these superdelegates will not cast their vote in the initial count.
What happens next?
Do not worry, conventional season is not over yet. We arrived at the Republican National Convention from August 24-27, even though the pandemic ended President Trump’s plans.
Following this, the presidential campaign will be in full force until the general election on November 3rd.
Also make a note in your agendas for the debates. The first presidency is scheduled for September 29, with two more in October.
