Democratic National Convention 2024: A Ceremonial Roll Call to Celebrate Kamala Harris’ Nomination
Introduction:
The Democratic National Convention, set to begin in Chicago, aims to make up for the lack of fanfare that accompanied the online nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris. One of the major agenda items is a “celebratory Roll Call,” which will re-stage the official presidential nomination vote from early August. This year’s roll call is significant as it marks the first time a nominee was named prior to the convention, breaking a long-standing tradition.
The Ceremonial Roll Call:
Delegates will gather on Tuesday to cast their symbolic votes, following the general format of past in-person convention roll calls. Each state delegation will call out their votes from the convention floor, accompanied by a song representing their state. The roll call will begin with President Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware and conclude with Tim Walz’s home state of Minnesota and Harris’ home state of California, symbolizing the passing of the torch from Biden to Harris.
Suspense and Protest Votes:
Unlike previous conventions, the ceremonial roll call lacks suspense. The official nomination vote held earlier in August already determined Harris as the nominee. While there may be attempts at protest votes, they will not impact the outcome. However, the convention organizers have not indicated how delegates will mark the symbolic milestone of Harris clinching the nomination.
Vote for Vice Presidential Nominee:
In a departure from tradition, delegates will cast symbolic votes for both Harris and Walz, the vice presidential nominee. Normally, the vice presidential nominee is chosen through a separate procedure, often by acclamation. This year, Walz was officially nominated as the vice presidential nominee by Harris after she became the presidential nominee.
Acceptance Speeches:
Harris and Walz will symbolically accept their nominations in speeches before the full convention. Harris’s speech will take place on Thursday, the final night of the convention, following the tradition of the nominee addressing the convention on the last night. Walz will speak on Wednesday night, as has been the practice since 1996.
Historical Context:
The 2020 convention introduced virtual roll call votes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this year’s convention aims to incorporate live video elements to showcase the diversity and beauty of America. The decision to hold the official nomination vote before the convention was driven by the need to meet Ohio’s ballot filing deadline. Although the Republican-controlled Legislature eventually accommodated the convention, DNC officials proceeded with the virtual roll call to avoid potential obstacles.
Conclusion:
The ceremonial roll call at the Democratic National Convention 2024 will celebrate Kamala Harris’ historic nomination as the first woman of color to lead a major party presidential ticket. While lacking suspense, the roll call holds symbolic significance and follows the general format of past conventions. The convention will also feature acceptance speeches from Harris and Walz, marking their formal acknowledgment as the Democratic presidential and vice presidential nominees. This year’s convention offers a blend of tradition and innovation, adapting to the unique circumstances while showcasing the diversity of America.
