Sarah Phillips and Alix Maltese
57 minutes ago
Related video above: Can President Obama convince President Biden to step down?
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Weeks after the debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump took place in Atlanta, many are calling for Biden to drop out of the 2024 election.
Biden has insisted he will not back down despite repeated calls for him to drop out of the race, and primary voting has already begun across the country.
So what happens if the president decides to withdraw from the election?
According to Democratic National Committee rules, the outcome would be different depending on whether the dropout occurred before or after the nomination.
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If President Biden withdraws before the formal nomination, which is expected to take place during a virtual roll call in early August ahead of the Democratic National Convention, the 3,900 pledged delegates would gather at the convention to vote for a new nominee.
If a candidate receives a simple majority, that candidate becomes the new Democratic candidate. If either candidate can't reach an agreement, “superdelegates” also vote.
Party rules generally require pledged delegates to vote for the candidate chosen by the voters. Unpledged delegates, or “superdelegates,” are free to support any candidate of their choice.
NBC reports there are more than 700 such superdelegates.
Superdelegates and pledged delegates will continue voting until one candidate receives a majority.
After nomination
If President Biden resigns, dies, or is otherwise incapacitated before or during the convention, the Democratic National Committee will have the authority to fill the national vacancy. The party chair, in consultation with national Democratic leadership, including congressional leaders and state governors, will recommend a successor.
If Biden were to end his term as president early, Vice President Kamala Harris would automatically assume the role, but the same isn't true for the top spot on the shortlist. Harris is likely to be his successor, but there's no guarantee, CNN reported. The DNC could choose a different candidate if it chooses.
To read the full delegation selection process, click here.
On Wednesday, an AP-NORC poll found 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 returned to his Delaware home.
On Thursday, the Associated Press reported that former President Barack Obama had expressed quiet reservations about Biden running for a second term.
Democrats are expected to endorse the party's nominee at the Democratic National Convention in August. The Republican National Convention concludes on Thursday.
