Vice President Kamala Harris is the sole candidate seeking the Democratic presidential nomination after a deadline passed with no one else qualifying. The Democratic National Convention confirmed that 99% of delegates signed Harris’ nominating petition, avoiding a messy internal battle following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race. Delegates will virtually vote to formalize Harris’ nomination in the upcoming convention in Chicago. Any candidate needed the support of 300 delegates to qualify, but Harris was the only one who did so. Marianne Williamson, who initially planned to challenge Harris, ultimately decided against it. The convention will have an unusual preconvention virtual roll call vote to ratify Harris as the top candidate, with a ceremonial in-person roll call also planned. Despite changes to nominating rules and the stripping of super delegates’ power, the process reflects overwhelming support for Harris. Democrats had to plan a virtual nomination process due to an issue in Ohio, where a ballot access deadline loomed. Although Ohio officials suggested Democrats could avoid a preconvention virtual roll call, the party wants to avoid potential litigation that could jeopardize their place on the state’s ballot this fall.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
