Why Democrats Are Powerless to Stop Biden’s 2024 Nomination

The prospect of replacing President Biden as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming 2024 election presents formidable political and procedural hurdles, rendering it highly unlikely without his voluntary withdrawal from the race.

Currently, President Biden stands as the sole candidate eligible for delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention scheduled to commence on August 19th.

Securing an overwhelming 99 percent of his party’s delegates during the primaries solidifies his position, with Democratic delegates pledged to support him in the initial round of voting as per Democratic National Committee (DNC) rules.

These rules mandate delegates to uphold their commitment to Biden unless he opts to step aside, freeing them to support another contender as reported by The Hill on June 29, 2024. The DNC retains the authority to amend these rules before the convention begins, potentially barring Biden from the nomination.

However, such a revision demands substantial political consensus, which appears improbable at this juncture. While speculations circulate about internal party discussions involving prominent figures like former Presidents Obama and Clinton advocating for Biden’s withdrawal, the ultimate decision lies with President Biden himself, who values counsel primarily from First Lady Jill Biden and his sister, Valerie.

A unique challenge posed by the 2024 election cycle further complicates matters. Ohio state law stipulates ballot certification 90 days before the election, aligning closely with the August 7th deadline, nearly two weeks preceding the convention’s commencement.

Amid legislative deadlock in Ohio over proposed amendments to accommodate late nominee changes, DNC leaders consider pre-emptively nominating Biden to meet Ohio’s stringent ballot requirements. This preemptive nomination underscores the urgency for any potential replacement to be decided well in advance of the convention, lest the Democratic nominee risks not appearing on Ohio’s ballot.

Vice President Kamala Harris emerges as the logical successor to President Biden. However, she would not automatically assume the nomination if Biden were to withdraw. Instead, DNC protocols would require Harris to compete with other potential candidates at the convention or earlier, particularly those viewed as stronger contenders against presumptive GOP nominee and former President Trump.

According to DNC bylaws, the committee bears responsibility for managing party affairs between national conventions, including addressing vacancies in presidential and vice-presidential nominations. This provision underscores the DNC’s pivotal role in overseeing a smooth transition should circumstances necessitate a change in the Democratic nominee.

Despite the complexities and logistical challenges involved in potentially replacing President Biden, the political landscape remains fluid. While scenarios involving forced removal at the convention seem remote, internal discussions within the Democratic Party reflect ongoing deliberations about the future course of Biden’s candidacy.