The Democratic National Convention is set to kick off in Chicago, with delegates and officials arriving after a series of unexpected events that led to President Joe Biden leaving the campaign and Vice President Kamala Harris stepping up as the top of the ticket. This change has reshaped the general election fight against former President Donald Trump just months before the Nov. 5 election. The party has had to make changes in the platform that will be adopted at the convention, as well as adjust the signage and other materials to reflect the new ticket.
The convention will run from Monday to Thursday, with speeches and floor activities taking place in prime time each night. Notable speakers expected to address the audience include Harris, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Biden, former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as 2016 nominee Hillary Clinton and former first lady Michelle Obama. The convention will be livestreamed on various platforms including the convention website, YouTube, and X, with English and Spanish versions, American Sign Language interpretation, and audio description services available. There will be special programming by network and cable news outlets for the prime-time portions of the convention, and social media influencers have also been credentialed for coverage.
The DNC is being held at the United Center in Chicago, with other facilities like the McCormick Place Convention Center hosting additional event spaces. Illinois is known for being a reliably Democratic state in presidential elections, and Chicago has historical significance as the site of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, marked by a contentious floor fight. Protesters are planning to oppose the Biden administration’s support for Israel during this convention, sparking concerns about potential unrest. The police have undergone preparation for handling any potential escalations during the event.
On the convention stage, Harris is set to accept her nomination on Thursday night, while Walz will accept his nomination as her running mate on Wednesday night. Biden is scheduled to speak on Monday, and the Obamas will address the audience on Tuesday. Given the unique circumstances of this campaign year, the candidates will be introducing themselves to a national audience, especially Harris who recently entered the presidential race. The DNC has outlined themes for each day of the convention, focusing on topics like “A Bold Vision for America’s Future” and “A Fight for Our Freedoms.”
Looking ahead, a debate between Harris and Trump is scheduled for Sept. 10, shortly after the DNC concludes. Walz and Republican running mate JD Vance are also set to debate on Oct. 1, with the possibility of additional presidential and vice presidential debates being scheduled. The DNC is expected to provide more details about the programming for each night of the convention, leading up to the final speeches by the Democratic nominees.
