How Democrats Will Choose a Nominee
The Democratic Party is just weeks away from formally naming a nominee for president, and with some Democrats questioning President Biden’s candidacy, there are a few ways the nomination process could unfold. If Mr. Biden stays in the race, he is almost certain to be the nominee. If he drops out before the party’s convention or after, things get more complicated.
If Biden Stays in the Race
President Biden has dismissed calls for him to step aside, and there is little time for any challenger to gather support. The party plans to hold a virtual vote to choose a nominee in the weeks before the convention. No other candidate is currently eligible to receive the nomination.
Pre-convention
A party committee meets to finalize rules for the virtual call and the convention.
Virtual nomination vote
As soon as 10 days away
July 21–Aug. 6
The party holds the virtual vote.
A simple majority of delegates is required to win.
Nearly all of the roughly 4,000 Democratic
delegates are already pledged to Mr. Biden.
It’s technically possible but unlikely that a
challenger could petition to get on the ballot.
Biden wins the nomination.
Democratic National Convention
39 days away
Aug. 19–22
Biden accepts the nomination.
States finalize their ballots
Late August through September
Biden appears on the ballot nationwide.
Election Day
117 days away
Nov. 5
Pre-convention
A party committee meets to finalize rules for the virtual call and the convention.
Virtual nomination vote
July 21–Aug. 6
As soon as 10 days away
The party holds the virtual vote.
A simple majority of delegates is required to win.
Nearly all of the roughly 4,000 Democratic delegates are already pledged to Mr. Biden.
It’s technically possible but unlikely that a challenger could petition to get on the ballot.
Biden wins the nomination.
Democratic National Convention
39 days away
Aug. 19–22
Biden accepts the nomination.
States finalize their ballots
Late August through September
Biden appears on the ballot nationwide.
Election Day
117 days away
Nov. 5
If Biden Drops Out Before the Convention
Donors, business leaders and some members of his party have urged Mr. Biden to leave the race. If he does, the party may keep the planned virtual vote or push the nomination to the in-person convention. Mr. Biden could endorse a replacement, but the delegates would vote in an open convention.
Pre-convention
Biden steps aside.
His pledged delegates are released
to vote for another candidate.
Candidates vie for support.
A candidate needs signatures from at least 300
delegates to appear on the convention ballot.
Democratic National Convention
Aug. 19–22
39 days away
Delegates vote.
A candidate needs a simple majority of about 4,000 delegates to win the nomination.
If no candidate reaches a majority in the first round, about 700 so-called superdelegates can also vote in subsequent rounds.
Winner accepts the nomination.
States finalize their ballots
Late August through September
The first mail-in ballots are sent starting Sept. 6, and early voting begins in some states on Sept. 20.
Election Day
Nov. 5
117 days away
Pre-convention
Biden steps aside.
His pledged delegates are released
to vote for another candidate.
Candidates vie for support.
A candidate needs signatures from at least 300
delegates to appear on the convention ballot.
Democratic National Convention
Aug. 19–22
39 days away
Delegates vote.
A candidate needs a simple majority of about 4,000 delegates to win the nomination.
If no candidate reaches a majority in the first round, about 700 so-called superdelegates can also vote in subsequent rounds.
Winner accepts the nomination.
States finalize their ballots
Late August through September
The first mail-in ballots are sent starting Sept. 6, and early voting begins in some states on Sept. 20.
Election Day
Nov. 5
117 days away
If Biden Drops Out After the Convention
If Biden withdraws after the convention in August, or is unable to run, the party has a process for naming an alternate nominee. At least one conservative group has pointed to the potential for lawsuits challenging the substitution of a nominee so close to the election.
Biden steps aside.
Democratic National Committee
chooses a new nominee.
The committee, which includes state party leaders and members allocated by state
population, will meet to select a replacement.
States finalize their ballots
Late August through September
Lawsuits over ballot changes could arise.
The first mail-in ballots are sent starting Sept. 6, and early voting begins in some states on Sept. 20.
Election Day
Nov. 5
117 days away
Biden steps aside.
Democratic National Committee chooses a new nominee.
The committee, which includes state party leaders and members allocated by state population, will meet to select a replacement.
States finalize their ballots
Late August through September
Lawsuits over ballot changes could arise.
The first mail-in ballots are sent starting Sept. 6, and early voting begins in some states on Sept. 20.
Election Day
Nov. 5
117 days away