What is an open convention? Here’s what may happen if there’s no set nominee before DNC

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FILE-Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks as President Joe Biden looks in the Rose Garden of the White House on in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Vice President Kamala Harris got an endorsement from President Joe Biden after he ended his reelection bid and more Democrats are showing their support for Harris.

Democrats are holding their convention in Chicago on Aug. 19-22, which could be an open convention with Biden dropping out of the race.

What is an open convention?

An open convention is when no clear leader has won the majority of delegates so they can vote for the candidate they want. It also opens the door for candidates who aren't considered favorites to be the Democratic presidential nominee to persuade delegates selecting the nominee to vote for them.

The Democratic National Convention was planning a virtual roll call to choose its presidential nominee ahead of the convention to meet Ohio ballot eligibility rules. The convention rules committee told the AP it will not set a date for the virtual roll call, which may occur before Aug. 1. However, if the virtual roll call doesn’t happen before the DNC, this could lead to an open convention.

VP Harris delivers first remarks since Biden exit

Vice President Kamala Harris delivered remarks at an event celebrating the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship teams from the 2023-2024 season, at the South Lawn. This is the first time she has spoke since President Joe Biden announced his exit from the 2024 presidential race.

Almost 4,700 delegates will be responsible for picking a new nominee in the party to challenge Donald Trump in November, and Harris faces a challenge to gain support across 4,000 delegates from the states, territories, and District of Columbia, and over 700 superdelegates, including party leaders, some elected officials and former presidents and vice presidents, the Associated Press reported.

Delegates vote for a presidential candidate at the DNC based on the results of their state's primary or caucus. FOX 2-TV in Oakland, California, reports delegates vote for the candidate who won the primary in their state, to preserve the will of the voters, but a "good conscience clause" in the party rules does leave them a little leeway.

Biden won every state primary and caucus earlier this year and only lost the territory of American Samoa. Roughly 3,896 delegates pledged to support him. The Associated Press reported that current party rules do not permit Biden to pass them to another candidate.

How will a vice presidential nomination work?

The vice presidential nomination is a separate convention vote when the convention confirms the choice of the nominee. If Harris closes ranks quickly, she could name her VP pick and have the delegates sanction it, per the AP.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.