DNC expects Harris, if nominee, to pick VP by Aug. 7

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) expects to start a virtual roll-call vote for Vice President Harris, if she is the only Democrat running for the nomination, on Aug. 1, and, if she wins the nomination, for her to select a running mate in advance of Aug. 7.

Harris, or any other candidate who wants to throw their hat in the ring, would have to declare their intent to pursue the nomination between this Thursday and Saturday at 6 p.m.

Candidates then have to qualify, which requires 300 delegates to sign a petition of support with no more than 50 delegates from any one state, by Tuesday.

If more than one person qualifies, chairs can decide on a several-day period for candidates to make their case to delegates and the public, and voting would then begin on or around Aug. 3.

The timeline moves up to Aug. 1, next Thursday, if only one candidate qualifies, the DNC said.

The Democratic National Convention begins on Aug. 19 in Chicago.

Harris has support from well over the 1,976 delegates needed to win the nomination, according to an Associated Press survey. No other Democrat has said they will seek the nomination after President Biden bowed out of the race.

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison quickly acknowledged at the beginning of the rules committee meeting on Wednesday that Harris has received enough support from delegates, but stressed the importance of following procedure.

“As a party, we have an obligation to design and implement a fair nomination for delegates to express their preferences through a vote,” Harrison said.

The DNC announced Monday, the day after Biden stepped aside and endorsed Harris, that it would move forward with the virtual roll call and plans to have the presidential nominee by Aug. 7.

The DNC had previously planned to nominate Biden with a virtual roll call after Aug. 1 and ahead of the convention, which starts on Aug. 19.

The plans were initially made to ensure Biden appeared on the ballot in Ohio, but Gov. Mike DeWine (R) has since extended a key deadline there.

DNC officials, in their rules committee meeting on Wednesday, also said they have strong legal arguments and are prepared to make them to defend their virtual roll call, predicting legal challenges to their rules and procedures before and after the election.

Before Biden dropped out, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) predicted that there could be legal challenges in some states if he was not the Democrats’ presidential nominee.