In a letter to the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, DNC Chair Harrison announced plans for four candidate forums in the new year and set the date of the DNC Winter Meeting for January 30 – February 1

Today, the Chair of the Democratic National Committee Jaime Harrison laid out the first steps in the election of the next generation of DNC leadership and announced the date of the DNC member vote for the incoming DNC officers – including the Chair, Vice Chairs, Treasurer, Secretary, and National Finance Chair – for February 1, 2025 in National Harbor, MD during the DNC Winter Meeting. Chair Harrison also announced that the DNC plans to host a series of four forums, a combination of in-person and virtual, for candidates to make their case and engage with DNC members. More details on the forums will be provided in the coming weeks. 

“As my time as Chair comes to a close and we prepare to undertake the critical work of holding the Trump Administration and Republican Party accountable for their extremism and false promises, we are beginning to lay out the process for upcoming DNC officer elections in the New Year. The DNC is committed to running a transparent, equitable, and impartial election for the next generation of leadership to guide the party forward,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “Electing the Chair and DNC officers is one of the most important responsibilities of the DNC Membership, and our staff will run an inclusive and transparent process that gives members the opportunity to get to know the candidates as they prepare to cast their votes.”

The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC) will meet on December 12 to develop a process for the selection of our Democratic Party officers. At this meeting, the Committee will recommend the Rules of Procedure that will govern the nomination and election of the officers of the DNC, including the requirements for gaining access to the ballot. DNC members will vote to adopt these rules at the DNC Winter Meeting.

DNC Officer Election Timeline

• On December 12, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee will meet to establish the Rules of Procedure for nominating the DNC Chair and other Officers, including Vice Chairs, Treasurer, Secretary, and National Finance Chair.
• In January, the DNC will host a series of four candidate forums – a combination of virtual and in-person.
• On January 30 through February 1, the DNC will host their DNC Winter Meeting for DNC Members. The DNC member vote for the incoming DNC officers – including the Chair, Vice Chairs, Treasurer, Secretary, and National Finance Chair – will be held on February 1. 

DNC Officer Election Process

• The election process is conducted by the DNC, according to a process set out by the Rules and Bylaws Committee, and ultimately is decided on by the DNC Membership.
  • Role of DNC Staff: Host candidate forums; brief interested candidates on the process and facilitate communication with DNC Members; and conduct the member vote.
  • Role of the Rules and Bylaws Committee: Recommend the Rules of Procedure that guide the nominations and election process, including ballot access requirements and the process by which candidates file, to full DNC membership.
  • Role of DNC Members: Approve Rules of Procedure for election and nomination process; engage with candidates, including through participation in candidate forums; offer their signature to support candidates’ access to participate in the forums and access to the ballot; and ultimately vote at the DNC Winter Meeting. 
  • DNC Members: There are 448 active DNC members, including 200 state elected members from 57 states, territories, and Democrats Abroad; members representing 16 affiliate groups; and 73 current at-large members elected by the DNC.

• Chair Harrison announced that the DNC will host a series of four forums for DNC chair candidates. In order to ensure we are acting as good stewards of DNC resources and being inclusive of DNC members and everyday Democrats from all over the country, we will livestream both in-person and virtual forums. The forums will provide opportunities for engagement of grassroots Democrats throughout the United States, but will focus on the questions and concerns of DNC members, elected representatives who will ultimately vote to elect the incoming officers. More details on the forums will be provided in the coming weeks
  • The RBC’s Rules of Procedure set forth the requirements for gaining access to the ballot – in 2021, candidates were required to submit a nominating statement alongside the signatures of 40 DNC members. We intend to use this 40-signature threshold for candidate participation in the forums.

• Chair Harrison and all DNC staff will maintain complete neutrality throughout the process, including abstaining from endorsing or campaigning for any candidate.