OHIO — Over the years, conventions have evolved as Democrats and Republicans put forth nominees for the race for the White House. 

What You Need To Know

  • Previously, nominees were chosen at conventions, but now primaries and caucuses help in making those picks 
  • Concerns of Former President Trump’s pick of Senator JD Vance are still there, but it doesn’t appear any change will be made now that the RNC is over
  • Making sure Gen Z and Millennials have a seat at the table when it comes to them being fully involved in policy and issue platform formation will be key for Democrats 

“Historically, party delegates would come to these conventions, and there would be multiple round ballots to identify who the party wants to nominate as president, and then there would be a second ballot that will go around to figure out who they would want to nominate as vice president,” said Brianna Mack, assistant professor of Politics and Government at Ohio Wesleyan University.

Now, she said the nomination process happens before the convention through primaries and caucuses earlier in the year. Essentially, the voters end up picking the nominee for each party. 

Looking at what’s transpired this year so far, questions about picks have been raised. On the one hand, with President Biden dropping out of the race, and Vice President Kamala Harris securing enough delegates to step into the race.

“I would not be surprised if we see a lot of contentious protesting outside of the DNC,” Mack said, even if they do not have the same amount of tension as the protests for Gaza.

Mack said for Republicans, who made their picks for president and vice president candidates at the Republican National Convention, there are some concerns.

“There is still concern and rhetoric about Vance’s past… There have been concerns or calls for Trump to pick a different vice president nominee, someone that doesn’t necessarily reinforce Trump’s image, but instead either speaks to more governmental experience,” she said.

However, from Mack’s perspective, while a change in Former President Trump’s vice presidential pick isn’t likely to happen, if there were a change she doesn’t see him getting much push back from the party despite the convention being over. 

In the meantime, she indicated Democrats will have some work to do to make sure they don’t have a repeat of their 1968 convention with protests and challenges with inclusion of specific groups.

Previously, the party struggled with inclusion of Black voters. Now, the issue is with the mobilization or recruitment for Gen Z and millennials. 

“Making sure Gen Z and Millennials have a seat at the table when it comes to them being fully involved in policy and issue platform formation,” Mack said.