FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2016
Contact: April Mellody
Dana Vickers Shelley

Democratic National Convention Committee Announces Series of Platform Hearings Across the Country

Regional Events Will Invite a Wide Array of Experts and Opinions

Democrats Asked to Make their Voices Heard by Providing Written Testimony, Submitting Video Testimony or Requesting to Appear in Person


PHILADELPHIA – Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Platform Drafting Committee Chair Elijah Cummings (D-MD) today announced a series of Democratic Platform hearings across the country designed to welcome every voice in the Party. The drafting committee will solicit input from policy experts as well as Democrats from all walks of life.

Democrats will be able to go online at www.demconvention.com/platform to either submit written or video testimony or request to testify in person.  In addition, there will be four regional events that will be open to the public. They will be held in the following locations:

  • Mid-Atlantic – Washington, DC on June 8th and 9th (forum with testimony)
  • Southwest – Phoenix, Arizona on June 17th and 18th (forum with testimony)
  • Midwest – St. Louis, Missouri on June 24th and 25th (drafting committee meeting)
  • Southeast – Orlando, Florida on July 8 and 9th (platform committee meeting)
"I want all Democrats to have their voices heard in this process," said Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. "We are the Party of substance, ideas and diversity.  We expanded the platform process to provide greater opportunity for Democrats to express their views and we look forward to hearing different perspectives from across the nation."

"We are broadening the process to welcome and include  input from across the nation," said Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD). "I want to ensure we take up the issues at the center of people’s lives, so I hope Democrats will make time to share their perspectives."

This year, in an effort to welcome every voice, the DNC Chair elected to allocate 75% of the committee’s seats to the presidential campaigns, appointing the slots proportionally according to the current vote tally.  This year’s platform process will be the most representative and inclusive in history.  

About the Democratic National Convention
The 2016 Democratic Convention will be held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia July 25-28, 2016.   Working in partnership with the Philadelphia Host Committee, the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, our goal is to make this the most engaging, innovative and forward looking Convention in history.  The 2016 Democratic National Convention will leverage technology to take the Convention experience well beyond the hall in an effort to engage more Americans than ever before in the event.  With the birthplace of American Democracy as a backdrop, the 2016 convention in Philadelphia will highlight our shared Democratic values and help put the Democratic nominee on a path to victory.
The Democratic Convention is the formal nominating event for the Democratic candidates for President and Vice President.  At the Convention, the Democratic Party also adopts the official Democratic Party platform as well as the rules and procedures governing party activities including the nomination process for presidential candidates in the next election cycle.
The CEO for the 2016 Democratic National Convention is Reverend Leah D. Daughtry. The official website of the 2016 Democratic National Convention is www.demconvention.com.