Biden Out, But How Will Harris Get In?

President Biden's decision to forgo the 2024 presidential nomination and endorse VP Kamala Harris raises questions about how Democrats will choose their nominee.

Biden's move comes after weeks of pressure due to poor polling and debate performance, with Trump leading by modest but consistent amounts, including in swing states.

The Harris Nomination

Biden's endorsement of Harris should carry weight with delegates who will formally vote for the nominee, either before or during the Aug 19-22 convention in Chicago. This endorsement, along with others from Democratic insiders like the Clintons, could be enough to deter alternative contenders.

The Democratic delegate system includes about 4,000 regular delegates and over 700 "superdelegates," who are party officers and officials. Due to Biden's lead, the DNC has ruled that superdelegates can vote on the first ballot, and by party rules, Biden's withdrawal does not change this. If one candidate secures a majority, they will be the nominee.

VP Nomination & Ballot Access

There will be a separate contest for the VP nomination. If Harris quickly becomes the nominee, she will likely have free rein in choosing her running mate, as Trump did with Vance.

Experts say that assuming the nominations are formalized before/during the convention, ballot access should not be an issue, with deadlines varying by state, mostly in late Aug/early Sept:

• Wisconsin: Sept 3
• Michigan: Aug 25
• North Carolina: mid-Aug
• Arizona: Aug 25

Campaign Finances

Harris could inherit the $84 million Biden-Harris campaign funds relatively easily since they share a committee. If she is not on the ticket, the money transfer process becomes more complicated, with only $2,000 transferable directly and the rest refundable or transferable to Democratic Party committees.

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Sources:

• What Would Happen If Biden/Trump Left the Ticket?
• FEC Rules on Campaign Funds with Nominee Withdrawal
• Statement on Replacing Democratic Presumptive Nominee
• VoteBeat: Replacing Biden on the Ballot
• Bill/Hillary Clinton Endorsement
• AP: Ohio Ballot Law Change
• PolitiFact: WI Deadline to Replace Biden
• Interviews: MI Sec of State Spokesperon, Brennan Center VP, AZ/NC State Boards of Elections, NYU Law Prof, Delegate Selection Expert