Now that the DNC is over, what’s next? See key dates for debates, Election Day voting

The Democratic National Convention has concluded, solidifying the presidential candidates for both the Republican and Democratic parties in the 2024 United States Presidential Election.

After withdrawing his candidacy in late July, 81-year-old President Joe Biden officially handed over the reins to Vice President Kamala Harris, who was announced as the Democratic candidate during this week’s convention. Harris formally accepted her nomination with an emotional speech on the final night of the convention.

Meanwhile, at the Republican National Convention held from July 15-19, Former President Donald Trump secured his nomination through a roll-call vote and announced Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate.

With less than three months until the November election, the campaign season’s final phase will kick off with a presidential debate between Harris and Trump. This debate will mark the first time Harris and Trump face each other directly—and it may be the only time they do so.

ABC News is set to host the second presidential debate on September 10 at 8 p.m. Central Time in Philadelphia. Trump has proposed two additional debates—one with Fox News on September 4 and another with NBC News on September 25—but the Harris campaign has not yet agreed to these, according to CBS News.

The first presidential debate, hosted by CNN in late June in Atlanta, saw Trump facing off against Biden, who was widely criticized for his performance and struggles with clarity.

The upcoming debate will be moderated by “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir and ABC News Live “Prime” anchor Linsey Davis, as reported by ABC News.

In the vice-presidential race, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance are preparing to take the stage after both accepted an invitation from CBS News to debate. CBS News has confirmed dates for these debates: September 17, September 24, October 1, and October 8, with the first set for New York. Walz has already agreed to the October 1 debate, as he posted on social media, “See you on October 1, JD.”

Voters across the U.S. will begin heading to the polls as early as next month, with Pennsylvania launching early voting on September 16. The official Election Day is set for Tuesday, November 5.

Key upcoming dates include:

• December 17: Electors vote
• January 6: Congress counts electoral votes
• January 20: Inauguration Day

As the election approaches, there is always the possibility of an “October surprise,” an unexpected event that can significantly influence the outcome. Historically, such events have had a profound impact on election results:

• 1972: Nixon’s “Peace is at Hand” announcement – Nixon’s National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger, declared the Vietnam War was nearing an end, which bolstered Nixon’s re-election chances.
• 1980: The Iran hostage crisis – President Jimmy Carter’s failure to secure the release of American hostages in Iran before Election Day was a factor in his loss to Ronald Reagan.
• 1992: Iran-Contra indictment – Just days before the election, Special Prosecutor Lawrence Walsh indicted Caspar Weinberger, linking George H.W. Bush to the Iran-Contra scandal and damaging his re-election campaign against Bill Clinton.
• 2000: George W. Bush’s DUI revelation – Five days before the election, news of Bush’s DUI arrest emerged, potentially swaying swing voters in a race that led to involvement from both Florida’s Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.
• 2016: James Comey’s letter on Clinton’s emails – FBI Director James Comey’s announcement of the re-opening of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email use just 11 days before the election is believed to have contributed to her loss to Donald Trump, despite Clinton winning the popular vote.
• 2020: Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis – Incumbent President Trump was hospitalized for COVID-19 in October, drawing attention to his administration’s handling of the pandemic.