Democrats stick to plans for early nomination as Harris consolidates support

Democrats are moving forward with plans to select their next presidential nominee virtually, despite President Joe Biden's dropping his re-election bid, the party announced Monday evening.

On a call with reporters outlining the rules, party officials were clear: The plan remains to formally nominate the presidential candidate before Aug. 7, which officials say is a critical deadline because of a potential legal issue in Ohio that they worry could force them off the ballot.

The party vowed in a memo that the online process will "mirror the candidate nomination rules used for in-person conventions to the greatest extent possible" but said the process will move incredibly quickly, with candidates given just days to declare their intentions to run and make their cases to voters.

“The work ahead may be unprecedented, but we are prepared to undertake a transparent, swift and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a nominee who represents our values,” Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said. “We will deliver a presidential nominee by Aug. 7 of this year.”

The Democratic National Convention begins Aug. 19.

Biden stepped aside Sunday and immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who within a day has consolidated support from across the party. No one else has announced plans to seek the nomination, and the most commonly discussed names all took themselves out of contention.

With Biden out, his delegates to next month's convention — 99% of the pledged ones — can support whomever they want and are under no obligation to follow his wishes. And Democrats are eager to avoid making their nomination process look like a coronation.

The party’s Rules Committee will meet Wednesday to