The Democratic National Convention has concluded, solidifying the presidential candidates for both the Republican and Democratic parties in the 2024 United States Presidential Election.
After stepping down from his candidacy in late July, 81-year-old President Joe Biden officially passed the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris, who was named the Democratic candidate during this week’s convention. Harris accepted the nomination with an emotional speech on the final night of the convention.
On the first night of the Republican National Convention, held from July 15-19, Former President Donald Trump secured his nomination through a roll-call vote and announced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate.
With less than three months remaining until the November election, the final phase of the campaign season is set to begin with a presidential debate between Harris and Trump. This will be the first-ever debate between the two candidates, and it may be their only face-off.
ABC News will host the second presidential debate on September 10 at 8 p.m. Central Time in Philadelphia. Trump has proposed two additional debates, scheduled with Fox News on September 4 and NBC News on September 25, but Harris’s campaign has not yet agreed to these dates, according to CBS News.
In late June, CNN hosted the first presidential debate in Atlanta, where Trump faced Biden. Biden’s performance was widely criticized for his lack of clarity and communication issues. ABC News anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the upcoming debate.
The vice-presidential debate is set to feature Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance. Both candidates have accepted CBS News’s invitation to debate in New York on September 17, September 24, October 1, and October 8. Walz confirmed his participation on social media, stating, “See you on October 1, JD.”
Voters across the U.S. will begin casting their ballots as early as next month, with Pennsylvania starting early voting on September 16. The official Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.
Key upcoming dates include:
- December 17: Electors vote
- January 6: Congress counts electoral votes
- January 20: Inauguration
As the election season progresses, an “October surprise” is often anticipated. Unexpected events occurring in the final weeks can have a significant impact on the outcome. Historical examples include:
- 1972: Nixon’s “Peace is at Hand” announcement boosted his re-election chances.
- 1980: The Iran hostage crisis, which many believe contributed to Jimmy Carter’s defeat by Ronald Reagan.
- 1992: The Iran-Contra indictment linked to George H.W. Bush, damaging his re-election bid against Bill Clinton.
- 2000: George W. Bush’s DUI revelation, which may have swayed voters in a close race.
- 2016: James Comey’s letter about Hillary Clinton’s emails, which impacted her campaign against Donald Trump.
- 2020: Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis, which renewed focus on his administration’s handling of the pandemic.