Milwaukee, WI
Is the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee? Here’s the city’s role in the week
Kamala Harris officially becomes 2024 Democratic nominee for president
After roll call at the DNC in Chicago, Kamala Harris received Democrats’ nomination for her as president at a rally in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee and southern Wisconsin have played a major role in this year’s presidential election.
Between hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention in July and a Kamala Harris campaign rally Aug. 20, it makes sense why some Milwaukeeans might be wondering if the Democratic National Convention is coming to town.
The answer is no, the DNC is not taking place in Milwaukee. It’s happening about 90 miles away in Chicago from Aug. 19 through Aug. 22.
Still, important players in the election have stopped by the Milwaukee area this week to campaign in Wisconsin, a key swing state likely to play a big role in who wins the election. A few hours before Harris’ widely attended Fiserv Forum rally kicked off, Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance spoke in front of the Kenosha County Courthouse ― his third visit to Wisconsin since he was named Donald Trump’s running mate at the RNC.
Although Milwaukee isn’t hosting this year’s DNC, residents may remember that the city was slated to host the Democratic convention in 2020 before COVID-19 pandemic restrictions forced the 2020 DNC to scale back to a largely virtual event at the Wisconsin Center (now the Baird Center).
Here’s what to know about the year’s DNC.
Where is the Democratic National Convention?
The 2024 Democratic National Convention is taking place in Chicago from Monday, Aug. 19 through Thursday, Aug. 22. The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, is hosting the convention’s major evening events and speeches.
Each day of the convention includes a full schedule of events for delegates, but the main programming of the DNC takes place from about 6 to 10 p.m. each night of the convention. Official daytime business, meetings and briefings are taking place at McCormick Place, another convention center in downtown Chicago.
More: How to watch and stream the 2024 Democratic National Convention
What is the Democratic National Convention?
The DNC is a weeklong event where Democratic delegates from each state officially select the party’s nominees for president and vice president.
Traditionally, delegates vote at the convention for the nominee, but DNC organizers held a virtual vote this year to confirm Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee ahead of the convention. Harris also announced her vice presidential pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, prior to the convention.
Like the RNC, well-known political figures and celebrities are expected to speak and be in attendance at the DNC. So far, highlights from the convention have included speeches from President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
More: Takeaways from DNC Day 2: Obamas blast Trump, Tony Evers’ face plant and Lil Jon
More: After RNC spotlight, Milwaukee Democrats Cavalier Johnson and David Crowley head to DNC