Biden's out, what's next?

U.S. President Joe Biden, at the age of 81, officially announced through his personal social media account that he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential election. In his post on X, Biden stated his intention to serve out the remainder of his term as President of the United States.

Who would replace Biden?

In the event of a vacancy at the helm of the Democratic Party, Vice President Harris stands as the presumptive successor to President Biden. Her elevation to the vice presidency has been interpreted by many within the party as a clear indication of her readiness to assume the presidency, a sentiment echoed by President Biden himself during a NATO press conference on July 11, where he affirmed his belief in her presidential qualifications.

However, the Democratic Party retains the discretion to nominate an alternative candidate, potentially a governor or another figure, should the party consensus shift in favor of a different contender. It is important to note that the nomination process is subject to the final decision of the delegates, and thus, the official nominee will only be confirmed following their vote.

How would a new nominee be chosen?

The scenario of President Biden withdrawing from the electoral race differs fundamentally from a presidential resignation, as it does not automatically elevate Vice President Harris to the head of the ticket. While the consensus among Democrats and political strategists leans towards Harris as the most probable successor, the delegates at the Democratic National Convention retain the autonomy to cast their votes in favor of any eligible candidate.

The absence of a unified party backing could pave the way for an unprecedented open convention, a situation last witnessed in 1968. Such an eventuality would likely trigger intense political maneuvering, with potential nominees vying for the support of individual delegates. Nonetheless, it is anticipated that the Democratic Party would strive to preempt this scenario by consolidating support around a single candidate in advance of the convention. Consequently, a significant, if not the majority, of delegates are expected to rally behind the party's consensus choice.

How quickly could a nominee be chosen?

The Democratic Party's nominee for the presidential ticket is not officially confirmed until the delegates have cast their votes, despite any endorsements from President Biden or the party itself. The Democratic National Committee has indicated its intention to conduct a virtual roll call as early as the first week of August to formalize the nomination process. Should this plan be abandoned, the nominee will be selected during the convention, which is currently slated to commence on August 19.