Author: Sam Buisman

The Democrats approve rules to allow for a virtual nominating convention on Tuesday.

According to the Associated Press, the Democratic National Committee’s Rules & Bylaws Committee approved new rules allowing event organizers to design the 2020 Democratic National Convention, originally planned to be held in Milwaukee during mid-August, as a virtual event that participants would not have to physically attend.

Continued concerns over COVID-19 drove this decision, as party officials stressed that they wanted to be able to hold their convention while abiding by social distancing and large gathering guidelines if they are still in effect during the late summer.

The party has not yet decided if their convention will be in-person or online, but this rule change gives them the option to hold either event.

Party officials have not yet made any rule changes to accommodate non-in-person voting but stressed that they will take steps to ensure that every delegate is able to cast their ballot for the nomination.

The Republican National Convention is still slated to be held in person in Charlotte, North Carolina, and, according to the RNC website, is expected to garner 50,000 attendees.