The national conventions in the United States are a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years by political parties who will be fielding nominees in the upcoming elections.

Democrats held their first convention in 1832  and it has been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention.

The primary goal of a national convention is to nominate and confirm a candidate for president and vice-president, adopt a comprehensive party platform and unify the party.

The National Convention also marks the end of the primary election period and the start of the general election season.

The Republicans held their first convention in 1856.

Delegates from all fifty US states and from American dependencies and territories such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands attend the convention and cast their votes to choose the Party’s presidential candidate.

This year, the Democratic Convention will be held in a convention centre in Milwaukee, in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin, from August 17 to August 20. Most of the speeches, receptions and rallies, sessions will be streamed from the Democratic Party’s social media channels and aired live on most US news channels.

The 2020 Republican National Convention will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 24. According to the convention official website, other important convention business will also take place in North Carolina, including the Convention Committee on Credentials meeting and the publication of proceedings. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic induced rules, lesser people will be allowed for the event.