What to expect from the 2024 Democratic National Convention
Madeline Halpert
Reporting from Chicago
With just three months to go before the 2024 election, thousands of people are gathering in Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention.
It’s a tradition dating back to the 1830s, when a group of Democratic delegates supporting President Andrew Jackson gathered in Baltimore to nominate him for a second term.
This year will look slightly different from others, as the party has already officially nominated Vice-President Kamala Harris in a virtual roll call after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race.
But many of the other DNC traditions – including appearances from celebrities and memorable speeches from party leaders – will remain the same. Here’s what to know.
When and where is the DNC?
This year’s convention is taking place at the United Center Arena in Chicago. It started on Monday 19 August and will continue until Thursday 22 August.
Image source, Getty Images
Around 50,000 people are coming to Chicago for the DNC
What happens at the DNC?
Because Ms Harris and Mr Walz have already been nominated, this year’s convention will focus on speeches from prominent Democrats and the adoption of the party’s platform.
Delegates work during the day to finalise the platform, a draft of which has already been released.
It focuses on a broad range of issues, including plans to lower inflation, mitigate climate change and tackle gun violence.
In the draft, Democrats contrast each of the party positions with Project 2025, an ultra-conservative blueprint for what a second Trump administration could look like, authored by the Heritage Foundation. Trump has sought to distance himself from the project, though several of his allies were involved in writing it.
Who will be speaking?
Image source, EPA
President Joe Biden gave an emotional speech during the convention’s opening night
Dozens of prominent Democrats and celebrities will be taking the stage in Chicago.
On Tuesday, former President Barack Obama is expected to deliver remarks, as is former First Lady Michelle Obama. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Ms Harris’s husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, will also speak.
Wednesday’s line-up reportedly features former President Bill Clinton and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, among others.
Ms Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, will give the prime-time speech that night after his nomination.
The most important night of the convention is Thursday, when Vice-President Harris will take the stage. She will formally accept the presidential nomination and give her speech on the final night of the convention dedicated “For the Future”.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will also take the stage at some point during the week.
The convention has already heard from President Joe Biden, who was the headline speaker on Monday. He was introduced by his wife Jill and daughter Ashley. During an emotional defence of his presidency, he said: “America, I gave my best to you.”
2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton offered her own tribute to Mr Biden the same evening, and voiced her hope that Kamala Harris could finally break the “highest, hardest glass ceiling” in the US by becoming the first female president.
Others who spoke on Monday included progressive lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Americans affected by abortion bans in Republican-controlled states, and voices from the labour movement, including United Auto Workers head Shawn Fain.
Who else will be in attendance?
Around 50,000 people are expected to attend this year’s convention in Chicago. This includes thousands of delegates chosen by state Democratic parties as well as super delegates, who are major elected officials, notable members of the Democratic Party and some members of the Democratic National Committee.
Thousands of members of the media will also be in attendance.
It will be a star-studded convention with appearances from several celebrities. In 2020, actors Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Eva Longoria attended the convention, while Elizabeth Banks and America Ferrera appeared in 2016.
Rumours have swirled about whether mega-stars Beyoncé and Taylor Swift will attend this year, but neither has confirmed.
Will there be protests?
Image source, EPA
A mostly peaceful protest unfolded on Monday
Demonstrations have been planned outside the DNC venue – many of them centred around opposition to US support of Israel’s war in Gaza.
Thousands of marchers took to the streets for a mostly peaceful protest on Monday, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to US support for Israel. Several were arrested when dozens of them broke through a security fence.
The turnout appeared to be well below the tens of thousands that organisers had hoped for and short of the 15,000 they claimed were there.
In that night’s address, Mr Biden acknowledged that the activists “have a point”, going on to say that “a lot of innocent people are being killed, on both sides”.
Route of the protest march
How can I follow coverage?
Members of the public can only attend the convention in person by becoming volunteers. But as with the Republican convention, there will be plenty of national media coverage, and the convention itself will offer live-streams on social media platforms.
You’ll be able to follow BBC News coverage – featuring on-site reporting and analysis – across the website and app, and on our live-stream.
The BBC News Channel will carry special coverage from 20:00 ET (01:00 BST) each night. You can find special episodes of The Global Story and Americast podcasts on BBC Sounds and other podcast platforms.
Sign up to North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher’s election newsletter US Election Unspun for his take on the week’s events direct to your inbox.
