The Republican and Democratic National Conventions were held in July and August. Read below for a recap on this step in the path to the presidency.

In July,  the Republicans held the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where delegates confirmed the presidential nomination of Donald J. Trump & JD Vance for the November 2024 election. 

The Democratic National Convention wrapped up their Convention on August 22 in Chicago, where Kamala Harris and Tim Walz secured the nomination for the Democratic ticket. 

Conventions serve practical functions but also set the tone for the parties as they enter the final and most crucial stretch of the presidential election cycle.  Take a look at the history of post-convention bounce in voter preference here. 

Years of planning go into producing a convention, which marks an important step in the path to the U.S. presidency every four years. To see the history of conventions, check out this resource from the American Presidency Project. 

You can read more about the Path to Presidency in The Policy Circle’s Election Processes & Innovations Brief.

What Happens at a National Convention

• Convention delegates elect their party’s nominee for president 
• Delegates elect their party’s nominee for vice president
• Delegates adopt their party’s platform (official positions on various policies)
• Speakers highlight campaign policy issues 
• The official kick-off of the campaign for the general election 

The convention consists of delegates from states and U.S. territories. These delegates are chosen from the primary elections and caucuses held earlier in the year. All the delegates are certified during the convention and then vote for their preferred presidential and vice-presidential nominees. They also vote to adopt their party’s platform.

 Each party adopts Party Rules that govern their respective conventions and platform adoption process. Take a deeper look at Republican Party Rules and Democratic Party Rules.

2024 Republican National Convention Recap:

Day 1 (July 15): Trump Nominated as Republican Candidate for President; Party Platform Adopted

On the first day of the  2024 Republican National Convention, delegates voted unanimously to nominate former President Donald J. Trump as the Republican presidential candidate in the general election, which will be held on November 5, 2024. 

The delegates voted to adopt an updated Republican Platform, a document outlining the party’s policy positions. 

Day 2 (July 16): Vance  Nominated as Republican Candidate for Vice President 

Former President Trump followed tradition by announcing J.D. Vance as his preferred running mate just ahead of the Convention. According to GOP Rule 40(b), when there is only one candidate for vice president, and when the Chair has been given evidence that a plurality of the delegates from each of five or more states supports the candidate, then delegates may vote via acclamation (voice vote) versus a roll call. 

As such, delegates voted by acclamation to nominate Vance as the VP nominee.  

Day 3 (July 17): Vance  Accepted Nomination for Vice President 

Senator Vance addressed the Convention, formally accepting his party’s nomination as their candidate for vice president. His remarks focused on his personal story, which he detailed in his autobiography Hillbilly Elegy. Vance spoke to policy issues important to him, including foreign affairs, addiction and drug abuse, and economic growth and opportunity. 

Day 4 (July. 18): Trump Accepted Nomination for President  

Former President Trump formally accepted his party’s nomination during his speech on Thursday, the Convention’s final day.  Speaking for 92 minutes (a record for the longest convention speech), he described the recent assassination attempt on his life. He then spoke about several issues, such as immigration, taxes, social security, medicare, and tariffs (Watch the full speech here).

Unity Key Theme at Republican Convention 

Speakers throughout the Republican National Convention held to a theme of “Unity” for the Republican Party and the country as the general election campaign officially kicked off.

2024 Democratic National Convention Recap:

Before the Convention: A New Nominee for President

On July 21, 2024, President Joe Biden became the second presumptive nominee in history to announce his decision to step down as a presidential candidate. The only other time this occurred was in March 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson announced his departure from the campaign during the middle of the state’s primary elections.  

In his announcement, President Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the next Democratic nominee for president.  Vice President Kamala Harris secured the Democratic nomination on August 2 with the support of 99% of Democratic delegates in a virtual vote. On August 6, she announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would be her running mate. The new Democratic Rules allow the Party Chair to certify the nomination of the Vice President candidate. You can find the DNC’s adopted permanent rules here. 

Day 1 (August 19): Party Platform Adopted

On the first day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, delegates heard from various speakers, including President Biden, former Senator Hillary Clinton, and Vice President Harris. 

The delegates voted to adopt an updated Democratic Party Platform, a document outlining the party’s policy positions.

Day 2 (August 20): Pep Rally Style Rotation of Speakers and Music 

No official business was conducted on Day 2 of the DNC. Instead, the day was filled with speakers, including former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The focus of messages throughout the evening was a “return to hope” and criticisms of Republican nominee Trump. Although Harris and Walz were nominated in a virtual vote ahead of the convention, delegates from each state participated in a roll call, ceremoniously casting their votes for Kamala Harris as their nominee for president. 

Day 3 (August 21): Walz Accepted Nomination for Vice President 

Governor Tim Walz from Minnesota accepted his party’s nomination, focusing on his background as a teacher, coach, and veteran and speaking about his family’s experience with infertility. He was joined on stage by former football players, urging Democrats to “leave it all on the field” this election.

Before Governor Walz spoke, delegates heard from various speakers, including former President Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey. 

Day 4 (August 22): Harris Accepted Nomination for President  

Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted her party’s nomination for president as the final event of the Democratic National Convention. She began by telling the story of her mother’s immigration from India, her father’s immigration from Jamaica, and her experience as a prosecutor. Harris emphasized she would “fight for the middle class” and “for America.” (Watch the full speech here).

Patriotism Key Theme at the Closing Ceremony of the Democratic Convention 

The theme of the closing night of the Democratic National Convention was one of “Patriotism,” with large displays of American flags staged throughout the halls and woven into speeches. With the conventions complete, all focus shifts to the final days of the campaign.

What’s Next in the Path to the Presidency?

• September 10: Presidential Debate  at 9 pm ET (hosted by ABC)
• October 1: Vice Presidential Debate at TBA time (hosted by CBS)
• October (TBA): Another Presidential Debate is Expected (TBD)
• November 5: Election Day

There’s still time to get involved in the election process. Make sure you are registered to vote and consider volunteering to serve as a poll worker on election day. Learn more about how you can engage this fall in The Policy Circle’s Active Voter Guide.