News Brief
Kamala Harris
US Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday (2 August) secured enough delegate votes during a virtual roll call process to become the official Democratic nominee.
Although DNC delegates have until Monday to submit their electronic ballots, but by Friday afternoon, Harris had already garnered the majority support required.
“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,” Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair Jaime Harrison said in a call.
“The outpouring of support we have witnessed for the Vice President has been unprecedented. We knew your ballots would come back quickly," Harrison added.
To celebrate, Harris called into the Delaware headquarters, saying that she will formally accept the nomination once the deadline passes on Monday.
“Of course I will officially accept your nomination next week once the virtual voting period is closed, but already I’m happy to know that we have enough delegates to secure the nomination. And later this month, we will gather in Chicago, united as one party where we’re going to have an opportunity to celebrate this historic moment together,” Harris said.
Ohio’s deadline for the presidential nominee to be on the ballot is 7 August, while the DNC convention, typically where the candidate is sworn in, begins on 19 August.
Starting Tuesday, Harris will campaign across the country on a multi-state tour with her soon-to-be-announced running mate, visiting several battleground states.
She will attend the DNC convention mid-month, where she will ceremoniously accept the nomination in person.
Harris’ ascension to the top of the ticket is historically unique, as she secured the nomination without winning a single Democratic primary.
She had previously run for the Democratic nomination in 2020 but withdrew before the Iowa caucuses.