The Democratic National Convention held a ceremonial roll call Tuesday, giving delegates at Chicago’s United Center a chance to show their support for Kamala Harris. The event was marked by corncob hats, a DJ, a surprise appearance by Atlanta rapper Lil Jon and enthusiastic cheers.
The tradition, which has long been a part of presidential nominating conventions, was largely unnecessary this year. Democratic delegates voted virtually earlier this month to formally nominate Harris before the voting deadline in several states.
Harris was the only person to qualify for the ballot after President Joe Biden decided to end his reelection bid in delayed July, following a pressure campaign from Democrats that began after his troubling debate performance.
Tuesday’s lively in-person “celebration” of voting, complete with a DJ who played a different song for each state and territory, began with delegates from Biden’s home state of Delaware, before Democrats from other states and territories pledged their support for the Harris-Walz ticket.
It ended with an unofficial vote of delegates from Minnesota, where vice presidential candidate Tim Walz is from, and Harris’ home state of California.
Meanwhile, those in the arena and watching on television learned why delegates believe Harris and Walz represent the best path forward for the country.
Hans Storvick, who said Walz was his neighbor and former teacher, told delegates when Minnesota spoke that the vice presidential candidate “opened our eyes to the world.”
“He taught us how to talk about global issues with respect, curiosity and kindness; even, and especially, when we disagreed,” Storvick said. “But he wasn’t just a great teacher, he was a great neighbor and friend. In fact, when he was in the middle of a budget battle as governor of our state, he took the time to attend my brother’s funeral.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who identified himself as being from “the great state of Nancy Pelosi,” said Californians are proud of “our ability to live together, grow together, and prosper together despite every possible and imaginable difference.”
“But the thing we’re most proud of is that we believe the future happens in California first,” Newsom said, as Kendrick Lamar played in the background. “And, Democrats, I’ve had the privilege for over 20 years to see that future take shape with a star in an Alameda courtroom named Kamala Harris.”
“I saw that star fighting for criminal justice, racial justice, economic justice, social justice,” he added. “I saw that star become even brighter as attorney general of California, as a United States senator, and as vice president of the United States of America.”
The Georgia delegation, however, was able to outshine all of its Democratic colleagues, securing mini performance from Lil Jon, who sang “turn out for what” to the music of his famed song “Turn Down For What” before the state cast its votes for Harris.
After the nearly 80-minute voting ceremony concluded, the DNC showed a live stream of a Harris campaign rally at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the same venue where Republicans held their party’s convention just a month ago.
“We are honored to be your nominees,” Harris said. “This is a people-driven campaign, and together we will forge a new path forward—a future of freedom, opportunity, optimism, and faith.”
