What to Know About the Democratic National Convention

The Democratic National Convention is almost upon us, following the Republican convention last month. Once it’s over, it will be a 75-day sprint to Election Day.

Here is what to know about the convention.

The convention will run from Monday, Aug. 19, through Thursday, Aug. 22.

It will be held at two venues in Chicago: The United Center, an arena on the city’s West Side, will host evening events — that is, the prime-time programming and speeches intended for public consumption. McCormick Place, which is downtown near Lake Michigan, will host daytime events, largely official party business and meetings.

Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, will be the stars, and President Biden is expected to speak as well. But the full list and schedule of the speakers has not yet been released. Republicans, during their convention, didn’t publicize their speaking schedule until close to the start of each night’s programming.

Typically, though, conventions feature a wide array of prominent people within the party, such as governors, members of Congress and former elected officials. Spouses of the nominees and other family members often speak or make appearances. And Americans who aren’t famous generally get some stage time as well, speaking about personal experiences that touch the themes and policies the nominee wants to emphasize.

For example, at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, Kristen Urquiza gave a widely publicized speech in which she blamed then-President Donald J. Trump for her father’s death from Covid. At this year’s Republican National Convention, Michael Morin spoke critically of the Biden administration’s immigration policies after his sister, Rachel Morin, was killed while jogging