Key Dates in the U.S. Presidential Election Timeline

July 23 (Reuters) – Get ready for an exciting showdown! Former Republican President Donald Trump is gearing up to take on Vice President Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential election on November 5, following President Joe Biden’s surprising decision to step aside from the race. As we approach Inauguration Day in January 2025, here’s a look at the key events you won’t want to miss:

• By August 7: The Democratic Party plans to host a virtual vote to officially choose their candidate. The Democratic National Committee is eager to announce their presidential nominee by this date, originally set as Ohio’s ballot certification deadline—though that timeline has been pushed back. Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying campaign season!

• August nineteenth to twenty-second: The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place in Chicago.
• September tenth: Trump and President Joe Biden have agreed to hold their second presidential debate on this date, which will air on ABC. After Biden stepped away from the race in July, Trump suggested that Fox News should be the host instead.
• September eighteenth: Trump, the first sitting or former U.S. president ever convicted of a crime, is set to be sentenced in the Manhattan hush money case. He was found guilty of falsifying documents to hide a payment made to silence a porn star, pending the judge’s decision on whether to uphold the conviction.

The sentencing has hit a pause as the judge takes a closer look at Trump’s assertion that he should be immune from prosecution, referencing a pivotal Supreme Court ruling from July. This decision established that presidents can’t be charged for actions performed while in office. However, Trump’s argument faces a significant hurdle: much of the alleged misconduct took place prior to his presidency. He continues to assert his innocence in the hush money scandal and has signaled his plans to challenge the ruling in court. As the legal saga unfolds, it raises intriguing questions about the limits of presidential accountability and the implications for future leaders.

• Nov. 5: Election Day is here!
• Later in November: The results may take a few days to be revealed, particularly if the race is tight and mail-in ballots come into play.

2025

• Jan. 6: The vice president takes the lead in counting the Electoral College votes during a joint session of Congress, announcing the outcome and declaring the next president. Looking back to Jan. 6, 2021, it was a tumultuous day when then-President Trump criticized his vice president, Mike Pence, for refusing to intervene in the certification of Biden’s win. As tensions rose, rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, some even calling for Pence to be harmed in their attempt to disrupt the count. Despite the chaos, Congress eventually returned to its duties and confirmed Biden’s victory, underscoring the resilience of democratic processes even in the face of unrest.

Congress has recently enacted the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022. This legislation raises the bar for challenging a state’s election results, now requiring the approval of one-fifth of both the House and Senate, compared to the previous rule where a single member from each chamber could initiate a challenge.

• Jan. 20: This is the day when the election winner and their vice president are inaugurated. During the ceremony, both are officially sworn into their new roles.