What happens if Biden drops out of presidential race?
Weeks after a concerning debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump unfolded in Atlanta in late June, many have called for Biden to drop out of the 2024 election.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Weeks after the debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump unfolded in Atlanta, many have called for Biden to drop out of the 2024 election.
Despite several calls for Biden to step away from the race, he insists he's not backing down. Plus, primary ballots around the nation have already been cast.
So what would happen if the president did decide to withdraw from the race?
According to the Democratic National Committee rules, there would be different outcomes depending on whether the dropout occurs before or after the nomination.
Before the nomination
If President Biden withdraws ahead of the formal nomination, scheduled to take place during a virtual roll call in early August ahead of the Democratic National Convention, then 3,900 pledged delegates would meet at the convention to cast their ballots for a new nominee.
If a candidate wins a simple majority, they would be the new Democratic nominee. If one candidate is not agreed on, then the "superdelegates" will also vote.
Under party rules, pledged delegates are basically required to vote for the candidate chosen by voters. Unpledged delegates, or "superdelegates," are free to support the candidate of their choosing.
NBC reports there are more than 700 such superdelegates.
The superdelegates plus the pledged delegates would all continue to hold votes until a candidate received a winning majority.
After the nomination
If President Biden resigns, dies, or is otherwise no longer eligible to serve before or during the National Convention, it's the Democratic National Committee that has the power to fill vacancies on the national ticket. The party chair would consult with Democratic leadership around the country, including Congressional leaders and governors and then recommend a replacement.
If Biden were to end his term as president prematurely, Vice President Kamala Harris would automatically get the job. However, the same is not true for the top spot on the ticket. While Harris would be a likely replacement, it's not a guarantee, CNN reports. The DNC could choose another candidate, if they wanted.
To read the entirety of the delegation selection process, click here.
On Wednesday, an AP-NORC poll revealed that nearly two-thirds of Democrats want Biden to withdraw from the presidential race and allow another candidate to run. Biden also tested positive for COVID-19 and traveled back to his home in Delaware.
On Thursday, the Associated Press reported that former President Barack Obama expressed quiet concern about Biden's run for a second term.
Dems will confirm their party's nominee at the Democratic National Convention in August. The Republican National Convention wraps up on Thursday.