The Democratic National Convention held a ceremonial roll call of states on Tuesday, allowing delegates to show their support for Kamala Harris with corncob hats, DJ music, a surprise appearance by Atlanta rapper Lil Jon and enthusiastic cheers at the United Center in Chicago.
This tradition, which has long been part of the presidential nominating conventions, was actually unnecessary this year. The Democratic delegates voted virtually earlier this month to officially make Harris their candidate in several states before the voting deadline.
Harris was the only person qualified to be on the ballot after President Joe Biden decided to withdraw his re-election effort in slow July after a troubling Democratic performance sparked a pressure campaign.
Tuesday’s lively in-person “cheer” vote, accompanied by a live DJ playing a different song for each state and territory, began with delegates from Biden’s home state of Delaware before Democrats from the remaining states and territories expressed their support for the Harris-Walz ticket.
Finally, delegates from Minnesota, home of vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, and from Harris’ home state of California cast unofficial votes.
In between, spectators in the arena and in front of the televisions were able to find out why the delegates are convinced that Harris and Walz represent the best path for the country.
Hans Storvick, who said Walz was his neighbor and former teacher, told delegates during Minnesota’s speaking time that the vice presidential candidate had “opened our eyes to the world.”
“He taught us how to talk about global issues with respect, curiosity and kindness, even when we disagreed,” Storvick said. “But he was not only a great teacher, he was also a great neighbor and friend. In fact, he even found time to attend my brother’s funeral when he was in the middle of a budget dispute as governor of our state.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who introduced himself as a resident of the “great state of Nancy Pelosi,” said residents are proud of “our ability to live together, move forward together and thrive together despite every possible difference.”
“But what we’re most proud of is that we believe the future happens in California first,” Newsom said, with Kendrick Lamar playing in the background. “And, Democrats, I’ve had the privilege for over 20 years to watch that future take shape in a courtroom in Alameda with a star named Kamala Harris.”
“I have seen that star fight for criminal justice, racial justice, economic justice and social justice,” he added. “I have seen that star shine even brighter as Attorney General of California, as a U.S. Senator and as Vice President of the United States of America.”
However, the Georgia delegation could have outshone all of its Democratic colleagues by Mini performance by 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.
As the nearly 80-minute ceremonial vote ended, the DNC showed live video of Harris at a campaign rally at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the same venue where Republicans held their convention just last month.
“We are deeply honored to be your nominees,” Harris said. “This is a campaign driven by the people, and together we will forge a new path forward – a future of freedom, opportunity, optimism and faith.”
