Nominating Conventions: How they Shape Elections
Intro
Every 4 years, we have come to expect the pomp and circumstance of presidential nominating conventions culminating in an acceptance speech from the party’s presidential nominee after months of primaries and caucuses.
Historically, nominating conventions served an essential role for selecting a party’s presidential nominee where delegates would discuss and negotiate until a compromise on a candidate and platform could be reached. The favored candidate entering the convention was never guaranteed to be the nominee leaving the event, and strategic political maneuvering could at times result in an unsuspected dark horse securing the coveted nomination.
Since 1952, conventions have not gone past a first round of voting on the nominee. However, despite the changing structure, the additional benefits of conventions lead political parties to dedicate immense time, money, and resources to planning these four day extravaganzas.
Early History
The first ever nominating convention was held in 1831 by the Anti-Masonic party to decide on a presidential candidate that the party leadership could agree on. Other parties followed suit and ever since, every major party has held a convention to nominate its presidential candidate, with the only exception being the Whig Party in 1836.
To decide on a party nominee, early conventions involved heated negotiations, multiple votes, and dealings to reach an compromise on a candidate that satisfied the majority of the party leadership. There were often many rounds of voting to select a party’s final presidential candidate.
The 1924 Democratic National Convention was the longest ever political convention, lasting 16 days and a record 103 rounds of ballot until the delegates agreed to nominate John W. Davis (who ultimately failed to defeat incumbent President Calvin Coolidge).
With advances in media and technology, conventions became increasingly structured to capture the attention of a broader public audience. The 1952 Republican Convention was the first convention ever broadcast live on national television. Ever since, both the Democratic and Republican parties have greatly altered convention schedules, party messaging, and even venue decorations to captivate voters during prime time coverage.
Reform after 1968 Democratic Convention
Chaos at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago transformed the role of nominating conventions in the primary process, leading it to gradually take on its current form.
Vice President Hubert Humphrey entered the convention without competing in a single primary or caucus. Ultimately, he would secure the party nomination after days of negotiations.
Outside of the convention, a coalition of civil rights, antiwar, and liberal activists protested against the party establishment. Controversy and conflict at the1968 convention demonstrated an urgent need for reforms to create a more fair and transparent presidential nomination process.
Democrats changed their party rules to require states to adopt open procedures for allocating delegates to conventions, and Republicans followed suit as most states passed laws establishing presidential primaries to implement this. The reforms reduced the sole influence of party leadership in the nomination process, and instead amplified the voices of voters.
Since this procedural change, every candidate of both major parties who has entered the convention with the majority of delegates has succeeded in securing the nomination, and contested conventions became a vestige of the past.
While nominating conventions mostly follow a standard combination of televised speeches and behind the scenes party dealings, they also involve a number of notable features that are important for candidates’ campaigns in the lead up to the general election.
Modern Conventions
In recent years, conventions have served three major purposes for candidates and political parties.
1. Vote to Approve the Official Party Platform
The first day of conventions typically start off with important procedural votes by delegates to approve the party’s official platform. While the party platform is developed weeks in advance of the convention, the vote for approval is a significant indicator of party unity on issues of importance to voters. Delegates also vote on other important procedural measures and officially vote to approve the party’s nominee for president.
2. Elevate Rising Stars and Important Leaders in the Party
The following days of the convention feature speeches and events designed to give a platform to rising stars in the party and bolster established party leaders. Parties choose a slate of speakers intended to represent important facets of the party and appeal to a broad array of voters.
3. Officially Introduce the Presidential Nominee on a National Stage
Conventions ultimately build to the candidate’s nomination acceptance speech on the final night. After a long, hard-fought primary process, the nominee’s acceptance speech is the first official opportunity for the candidate to speak directly to voters on a national stage with unfettered media and public attention. During the nominee’s acceptance speech, they have the unmatched opportunity to share their narrative across the country and connect with voters. The speech works to energize the party base and mobilize supporters as the candidate pivots to the general election.
The primetime speech also reaches a broader audience of undecided voters and can often be an important point for building one’s base of support. Data shows presidential candidates on average receive a five-point boost in support after a convention.
Conventions During COVID-19
The unprecedented global pandemic is forcing Democrats and Republicans to completely reimagine how conventions will take place this year. Both parties decided to delay their conventions, cancel large, in-person events, and instead reimagine their conventions using a digital format.
Democrats are holding their convention first, from August 17th to August 20th. The convention will look very different from past conventions, being held virtually rather than in Milwaukee as originally planned. The party has directed prominent senators, congress people, and other party delegates to stay home. Votes to nominate Joe Biden as the Democratic Presidential Candidate and votes on the party platform will all be held virtually instead.
Additionally, convention programming has been scaled down to just 2 hours of prime time coverage per night. Biden will deliver his acceptance speech from his home state of Delaware, and other speakers will present virtually from key satellite locations across the country.
Republicans will hold their convention the following week, from August 24th to August 27th. Increasing concerns about rising cases of COVID-19 forced them to cancel the in-person convention that was originally planned in North Carolina and instead adopt a virtual model similar to the Democratic National Convention. Decisions have yet to be made public about details of the virtual convention, including where Donald Trump will give a speech to accept the renomination. A small number of delegates are still planning to gather in Charlotte, NC to officially vote to renominate Trump.
With conventions moving into virtual spaces in 2020, there is both an unprecedented urgency and an incredible opportunity to expand digital platforms to advance grassroots conversations and boost voter engagement. At BallotReady, we are committed to mobilizing voters and supporting candidates with a slate of digital products, including Ballot Engine and Election Center. Conventions are key to kick off transitions into the general election, and Ballot Ready is here to make sure you have all of the information and tools you need during this important stretch to energize and inform voters in the lead up to Election Day.