On the second night of the Democratic National Convention, Gov. JB Pritzker emphatically declared virtually all of Illinois’ delegate votes Tuesday to signal the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee in a ceremonial roll call vote.
“The Prairie State, home of four presidents, including President Barack Obama!” Pritzker shouted as he huddled with other Democrats on the floor of the United Center while the Chicago Bulls’ famed introductory song “Sirius” by the Alan Parsons Project blared in the background. “The cornerstone of the Midwest Blue Wall. The first state to ratify the 13th Amendment ending slavery and the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote!”
“Illinois casts one vote present and 176 votes for the next president of the United States, future Madam President Kamala Harris!”
The vice president already had the necessary number of delegates to become the official nominee well before Tuesday night’s ceremonial vote. The prime time roll call is a celebratory show of support at the convention, giving the crowds of delegates a chance to hype up their individual states at the event.
Harris will now accept her nomination in a speech Thursday night, on the last day of the four-day DNC.
The roll call capitalized on the energy of delegates being together in person — this time at the packed United Center on Chicago’s Near West Side — after the convention four years ago was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aside from Pritzker, the roll call featured a diverse mix of storytellers — with elected officials from every level of government and big cities and small towns, delegates with compelling personal narratives, and local faces well known to the viewers back at home. Among those featured prominently in the made-for-TV delegate count were Gov. Josh Shapiro, a finalist to be Harris’ running mate who announced Pennsylvania’s votes for Harris; and Gavin Newsom, the governor of Harris’ home state of California.
The roll call began with President Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware, a tribute to his historic presidency and the passing of the torch to the next generation of Democratic leadership. It ended with California and Minnesota, the home state of Harris’ running mate, Gov. Tim Walz.
