Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and others scheduled to speak at the DNC Monday night

Claire Reid and Maya Marchel Hoff, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Updated August 20, 2024 at 5:23 AM·3 min read

The Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago on Monday.

The convention runs from Monday, Aug. 19 to Thursday, Aug. 22. The logistics are similar to the Republican National Convention, an event most Milwaukeeans became acquainted with last month. At the DNC, delegates from the Democratic Party officially select the party's nominees for president and vice president.

Traditionally, delegates vote at the convention for the nominee, but DNC organizers held a virtual vote this year to confirm Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee ahead of the convention. Also different from this year's RNC, Harris announced her vice presidential pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, prior to the convention.

Like the RNC, well-known political figures and celebrities are expected to speak and be in attendance at the DNC. An official speaker schedule hasn't been released yet, but many high-profile names have been confirmed to be taking the stage.

Members of the public cannot attend the DNC in-person without a ticket, but here are some of the speakers you can expect to see on TV and social media streams.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at the Eau Claire Event District in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel — Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at the Eau Claire Event District in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Who is speaking at the Democratic National Convention today?

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are set to headline the first night of the convention on Monday.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is also set to speak Monday after a welcome from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Streaming of evening programming, including Biden and Clinton's appearances, will air from the United Center from 6:30 p.m. to 11p.m. ET.

The theme of the night is "For the People," according to a release from the convention. The release also included a list of "selected speakers," in order of appearance:

Call to Order: Minyon Moore, Chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention Committee and Jaime R. Harrison, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
Remarks and Video Introduction: Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago
Confirmatory and Ceremonial Vote for the Vice Presidential Nominee: Minyon Moore
Welcome Remarks: Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan
Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois
Video: Rich Logis, former Donald Trump voter
Rep. Robert Garcia of California
Joint Remarks: Lee Saunders, President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); April Verrett, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Brent Booker, General President of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA); Kenneth W. Cooper, International President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); Claude Cummings Jr., President of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and Elizabeth H. Shuler, President of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
Remarks: "Project 2025—Chapter One: Introduction": Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Michigan
Gina M. Raimondo, United States Secretary of Commerce
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul
Shawn Fain, President of the United Automobile Workers (UAW)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former United States Secretary of State
Rep. James E. Clyburn of South Carolina
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland
Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas
Rep. Grace Meng of New York
Joint Remarks: Amanda and Josh Zurawski of Texas; Kaitlyn Joshua of Louisiana and Hadley Duvall of Kentucky
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear
Sen. Reverend Raphael G. Warnock of Georgia
Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden
Introduction: Ashley Biden
President Joe Biden