Will the DNC RNC Conventions In 2020 Be Canceled?

The US flag set against a blue sky — (Image credit: Mark Cunningham/Getty Images)

As we continue to learn about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact around the world, it's possible that the DNC and RNC political conventions (which are set to take place this summer) may be canceled, delayed, or otherwise impacted. At these conventions, a presidential and vice presidential candidate are officially nominated and chosen, and the party sets out the platform of the nominee and aims to unify voters. At the moment, the DNC convention is scheduled to take place in Milwaukee, WI, July 13-16, and the GOP convention in Charlotte, NC, August 24-27. Up to 50,000 people attend each event.

As of this moment, Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez denied that the convention would be canceled and replaced with an online version (this was in an interview taped March 9). "We are working with our state and local partners, and I'm confident that we work a plan that will enable us to have our convention," he said. Regarding an online convention, he added, "We'd have to change the rules...We're not contemplating rule changes." (Voting by proxy isn't currently permitted at conventions.) But he also said that they were monitoring the situation "every single day." Considering that CDC recommendations include canceling events over 50 people for the next eight weeks, and that time period may be extended if the pandemic continues, it may impact events in the summer as well.

As for the GOP: "The convention team is closely monitoring and coordinating with key stakeholders across the administration...and (federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to obtain regular updates," convention spokeswoman Tatum Gibson said. "We prioritize the health and safety of attendees and have the utmost confidence in the administration’s work and preparations."

Latest Videos FromMarie Claire

Watch full video here:

At the moment, reports WSJ, congressional district and state conventions are the more time-sensitive issue—that's where delegates are selected to represent at the national level. The debate is currently ongoing whether voting could or should happen remotely, via telephone or online, and what coordination might look like. The decisions made here may be a preview for what happens with the national conventions. Perez said he'd been in contact with states considering rule changes.

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, Democratic candidates for president, have begun hosting "virtual" campaign events either by canceling or making events remote.

For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

subscribe here

Katherine’s a contributing syndications editor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. In her role, she writes stories that are syndicated by MSN and other outlets. She’s been a full-time freelancer for over a decade and has had roles with Cosmopolitan (where she covered lifestyle, culture, and fashion SEO content) and Bustle (where she was their movies and culture writer). She has bylines in New York Times, Parents, InStyle, Refinery29, and elsewhere. Her work has also been syndicated by ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, and Women’s Health, among others. In addition to her stories reaching millions of readers, content she's written and edited has qualified for a Bell Ringer Award and received a Communicator Award.

Katherine has a BA in English and art history from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in art business from the Sotheby's Institute of Art (with a focus on marketing/communications). She covers a wide breadth of topics: she's written about how to find the very best petite jeans, how sustainable travel has found its footing on Instagram, and what it's like to be a professional advice-giver in the modern world. Her personal essays have run the gamut from learning to dress as a queer woman to navigating food allergies as a mom. She also has deep knowledge of SEO/EATT, affiliate revenue, commerce, and social media; she regularly edits the work of other writers. She speaks at writing-related events and podcasts about freelancing and journalism, mentors students and other new writers, and consults on coursework. Currently, Katherine lives in Boston with her husband and two kids, and you can follow her on Instagram. If you're wondering about her last name, it’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.

Related Stories