Best views, weather, etc. How to test them 👓 SC, Ala. sites look back Betty Ford honored
Democratic Party

Democrats set schedule for Aug. 17-20 national convention in Milwaukee

Bill Glauber
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MILWAUKEE – Democrats will meet for two hours nightly, from 8-10 p.m. CDT, when they stage their national convention next month at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee.

A preliminary schedule was released Wednesday and is set to be approved by a key committee Thursday.

The event runs Aug. 17-20, with former Vice President Joe Biden expected to accept the party's presidential nomination on the final night.

Biden's vice presidential nominee, still to be announced, will be nominated on Wednesday, Aug. 19, and address the mostly virtual gathering. Whether that speech occurs in Milwaukee remains uncertain.

More:DNC chair Tom Perez reaffirms Democrats' plans for Milwaukee convention

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

More:Police departments withdraw from agreements for Democratic convention

More:Trump cancels Jacksonville portion of Republican convention due to COVID-19

A keynote address is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18, the same night of the presidential roll call, which will be conducted virtually.

The convention will open Monday, Aug. 17, with committee reports on credentials, rules and the platform and select speakers.  

Delegates have been asked not to attend the event because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. They are casting ballots remotely, beginning next week.

Top Democrats were named to the convention leadership, led by honorary chairs, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi was named permanent convention chair.

Rep. Gwen Moore of Milwaukee, who helped bring the event to the city, will be the sergeant-of-arms.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is among the permanent co-chairs of the convention, with Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Sens. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Tom Carper of Delaware, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rep. Tony Cárdenas of California.

Jason Rae, who lives in the Milwaukee area, is the party's secretary.

Democrats also released a schedule of virtual meetings and caucuses that will take place around the convention.

"We are looking forward to a historic convention anchored in Milwaukee, and through the leadership of the permanent officers who will help oversee this convention Democrats will come together to continue the work to elect Joe Biden as the next President of the United States,” DNC Chair Tom Perez said in a statement.

“We have an exciting lineup of programming over the course of four nights as we seek a better future for all Americans, and unite around our shared values and Joe Biden’s vision for a better, safer future for the country.”

Featured Weekly Ad