Thousands of reporters, and every TV network is covering them this summer. This year even social media influencers are covering them. You’ve probably heard about political conventions. What is a political convention, and what happens during one?
Each presidential election year, the Democratic and Republican parties hold national conventions. Each party selects from presidential candidates. First, a candidate runs in state primary elections. They win delegates, or people who will vote for them to become the Presidential candidate of a political party. These votes take place at the conventions. Once a candidate is selected, they become the party’s nominee. They select a vice-presidential candidate to run with them.
The Republican National Convention occurred from July 15 to July 18. It was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Former President Donald Trump officially became the Republican nominee for president. He selected Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his vice-presidential candidate.
The Democratic National Convention will take place August 19 through August 22. It will be more complicated. President Joe Biden won the Democratic primaries. However, he decided in July to not to run for reelection. Delegates needed to vote for a different presidential nominee.
They voted for Vice President Kamala Harris. President Biden endorsed [officially recommended] her. Nobody challenged her for the nomination. To avoid confusion at the convention, Democrats had delegates vote before the convention. Harris then chose her vice-presidential candidate. She picked Governor Tim Walz from Minnesota.
What Do You Think? If you were a presidential nominee, what changes would you want to make for the country?
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