Biden's Out: What Does This Mean for the Election?

On July 21, 2024, President Biden announced he was standing down from running for reelection. Here’s what voters need to know about the current situation and the process in place for the Democratic ticket moving forward: 

Has this ever happened before? 

Yes – sort of. 

In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson dropped out of his reelection campaign after performing poorly in early primary elections. This was at the height of the unpopular Vietnam War, and Johnson’s approval ratings were suffering. Johnson’s vice president, Hubert Humphrey, replaced him on the Democratic ticket. Voters ultimately elected Richard Nixon later that year.  

In 1952, President Harry S. Truman started the primary season as an incumbent candidate but withdrew as his approval rating hit an all-time low. Adlai Stevenson secured the nomination at the Democratic Convention and lost the election to Dwight D. Eisenhower in the general election. 

Who Will Be the Democratic Nominee? 

Throughout the primaries, Biden won thousands of delegates who were expected to formally nominate him as the Democratic candidate at the Democratic National Convention in August. By stepping down, Biden released these delegates from their obligation to vote for him. 

On July 22, the Harris campaign announced that Vice President Harris won enough pledged delegate support to secure the party nomination. While delegates at the Democratic National Convention are still free to cast their ballots for the candidate of their choosing, it is expected that Harris will be officially named the Democratic candidate at that time. 

What happens to the Biden campaign funds? 

At the time of President Biden’s decision not to seek reelection, the Biden-Harris campaign had over $90M available. Since Harris and Biden share a campaign committee, Harris can continue to use these funds for the general election if she’s on the Democratic ticket as either President or Vice President. Within hours of the announcement, the campaign changed the fund's title to "Harris for President". Following the announcement, VP Harris raised an additional $81M, which broke records as the biggest fundraising day in the 2024 election cycle.  

Demand Transparency in Election Funding

If, however, the new ticket determined at the Democratic National Convention doesn’t include Harris, the rules change. In that case, the Biden campaign can either make a candidate-to-candidate contribution of $2,000, refund its donors, or transfer its funds to the national Democratic party or state parties. 

What does this mean for the general election ballots and filing deadlines?  

 Every state has a unique filing deadline by which parties must submit their official nominee. Since the Democratic nominee will now be selected at the Democratic National Convention in mid-August, this raises questions for states whose filing deadlines come before the Convention,  which include South Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and California. However, these states all have processes in place to accept provisional certifications by their deadline and an official nominee at the end of the Convention.

Some people believe that New Mexico also poses a challenge since whoever wins the state’s primary is automatically put on the ballot since Biden won this primary in June. However, according to Secretary of State Toulouse Oliver, “New Mexico follows major party rules for the selection of presidential candidates. As long as they meet the ballot deadline of August 27, 2024...whoever is nominated for president at the upcoming Democratic Convention will appear on New Mexico’s General Election ballot."

Were primary voters who voted for Biden disenfranchised? 

Millions of voters cast their ballots for the Biden-Harris ticket in the primary elections throughout 2024, and some argue that these voters have been undermined by the change at the top of the ticket. They argue that the people who voted for Biden have been disenfranchised, as their nominee is no longer in the running and delegates will choose a candidate outside of the primaries. 

If Harris becomes the Democratic candidate, those who voted for Biden will be represented by a candidate who was both on their original ticket (as Vice President) and who shares Biden’s agenda. For now, they can consider their vote protected. 

If a new candidate is chosen at the Democratic National Committee, this question may become more complicated. 

Throughout the 2024 election cycle, the League is committed to delivering accurate information to voters. Continue checking back here for updated information in the days and weeks to come.  

You can find the latest personalized election news for the presidential election, as well as all state and local races, at VOTE411.org.