Vice President Kamala Harris has successfully passed the required threshold to become the Democratic presidential nominee, achieving this milestone during a virtual roll call vote conducted on Friday. Upon reaching this significant point, Harris expressed her gratitude and sense of honor, acknowledging the critical role played by the tireless efforts of delegates, state leaders, and campaign staff. “I am honored to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for President of the United States, and I will tell you, the tireless work of our delegates, our state leaders, and our staff has been pivotal to making this moment possible,” Harris remarked, further noting that she plans to officially accept the nomination after the virtual voting period concludes next week.
Harris secured the necessary number of votes for the nomination in less than two weeks after declaring her candidacy for the top position on the 2024 ticket. Her declaration followed President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race and endorse her. Harris’s swift consolidation of support within the party was evidenced by her rapid accumulation of delegate endorsements, leading to her clinching the nomination without opposition. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) commenced the virtual roll call vote at 9 a.m. on Thursday, with Harris running unchallenged for the nomination.
DNC Chair Jamie Harrison made the official announcement on Friday, confirming that Harris had met the requirement of 2,350 votes to secure the nomination. “As chair of this great party, as chair of this party that is built on hope, I am so proud to confirm that Vice President Harris has earned more than a majority of votes from all convention delegates and will be the nominee of the Democratic Party following the close of voting on Monday,” Harrison declared. He highlighted the speed of Harris’s success, emphasizing the significance of her achievement just one day after the voting began. “Just one day after we opened voting that the vice president has crossed the majority threshold and will officially be our nominee next week, folks that is outstanding,” Harrison added.
By Tuesday, the DNC reported that Harris had secured 3,923 delegates, making her the sole candidate to qualify for the virtual roll call. This development positions Harris as the official nominee well ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which is set to take place in Chicago beginning on August 19. In anticipation of the formal nomination, Harris is expected to announce her choice for a running mate within the coming days. Following this announcement, she will embark on a campaign tour with her chosen vice-presidential candidate, targeting key swing states. The tour is scheduled to start in Philadelphia on Tuesday, with stops in six additional states thereafter.
The decision to conduct a virtual roll call vote before the convention was initially driven by logistical considerations to ensure Biden’s presence on the ballot in Ohio. The state had set a deadline for certifying the party’s presidential nominee ahead of the convention. However, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, has since extended this critical deadline, allowing the DNC to proceed with its adjusted voting schedule.
