Biden has stated several times since his damaging debate performance last month he will not drop out of the race ahead of next month's Democratic National Convention. (Getty Images)
For the Democratic Party, there are "pledged" and "unpledged" delegates. Pledged delegates have to vote for whichever candidate in their party wins the primary or caucus in their respective state, while unpledged delegates may choose to vote for any candidate. In the Democratic Party, unpledged delegates are known as "superdelegates," current elected officials and party leaders who can support any candidate.
A total of 1,976 delegates are needed to clinch the Democratic nomination for president. Biden has won roughly 3,900 this year. Those delegates have "pledged" to support Biden's candidacy, according to DNC rules.
Though Biden has not indicated he plans to withdraw from the race, if he were to do so, his delegates would no longer be pledged to him. His withdrawal would lead to an open convention, resulting in Democrats being able to make suggestions for potential nominees and cast votes until one candidate receives a majority of delegate votes.
"She's a liability, but he would also, by getting rid of Kamala, insult and lose a valuable constituency. He's not going to do that."
"Biden has a hammerlock on those delegates and alternates. Only he can release them if he wants, and he's not gonna release them," Craig Shirley, a presidential historian and biographer of former President Reagan, told Fox News Digital.
BIDEN CAMP ADDRESSES RUMORS ADVISERS ARE HATCHING PLAN TO PUSH PRESIDENT ASIDE
If Biden does not willingly drop out of the race, however, DNC regulations could seemingly make it possible for delegates to force Biden out of the race. Though it has not been tried in the modern political era, there is one rule that leaves open the possibility of giving delegates some leeway in who they support for the nomination.
President Biden speaks at a campaign office in Philadelphia July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
A potential date for Biden’s nomination is July 21, the day the Democratic National Convention’s credentials committee meets virtually. Party officials have said the reason is that the convention falls after Ohio’s ballot deadline of Aug. 7.
Earlier this summer, Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation altering the state filing deadline to Aug. 31, ensuring the Democratic nominee could be placed on the state's November ballot even without the early virtual roll call vote.
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Word of the potential July 21 roll call was first reported by Bloomberg News.
Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
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Kyle Morris covers politics for Fox News. Story tips can be sent via email and on X: @RealKyleMorris.
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