Understanding The 2024 Democratic Party Platform Key Policies And Voter Priorities

The Democratic Party platform is a formal set of principles and policies that outlines the party's positions on various issues and serves as a guide for its candidates and elected officials. It reflects the values and priorities of the Democratic Party, emphasizing social justice, economic equality, healthcare access, and environmental sustainability. The platform is developed during the party's national convention and evolves over time to adapt to changing public opinion and societal needs.

On August 18th the Democratic National Committee (DNC) released the final 2024 Democratic Party Platform, which was voted on by delegates at the Convention and has been approved. This platform was passed by the Platform Committee on July 16, prior to the President stepping aside. It makes a strong statement about the historic work that President Biden and Vice President Harris have accomplished hand-in-hand, and offers a vision for a progressive agenda that we can build on as a nation and as a Party as we head into the next four years. Following extensive engagements from the Platform Committee with communities across the country, hundreds of submissions of testimony through our Written Platform Testimony Portal, and countless conversations with community leaders from coalitions across the Democratic Party, the platform is reflective of the diverse perspectives and unifying values of the Democratic Party. Through this extensive and comprehensive process, the Committee produced a forward-looking vision for our Party.

The party platform is a written document that outlines the Democratic Party's policy priorities and positions on domestic and foreign affairs. It does not have any binding impact on Democratic elected officials or candidates. When the party adopted its first platform at the Democratic National Convention in 1840, it featured only nine resolutions and fewer than 1,000 words. Over time, the party platform has become increasingly complex in detail and scope. The platform adopted by Democrats in 2020 contained more than 42,000 words and covered a wide range of policy concerns, including minimum wage, systemic racism, voting rights, climate change, and national security. The party platform has also been used to distinguish Democratic presidential nominees from their Republican rivals.

The Democratic National Committee adopted a party platform during the 2024 Democratic National Convention on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. This platform was drafted and approved by the Platform Committee on July 16, before Joe Biden (D) withdrew from the presidential race on July 21, 2024. In a statement, the Democratic Party said, "The Platform focuses on priorities for Democrats up and down the ballot, from growing the economy to lowering costs for families; tackling the climate crisis and securing energy independence; closing the racial wealth gap and investing in small businesses; restoring Roe v. Wade as the law of the land; protecting communities from the scourge of gun violence and protecting freedoms for all Americans; and securing our border and strengthening American leadership worldwide."

Platform Highlights and Key Priorities

The Platform focuses on priorities for Democrats up and down the ballot, from growing the economy to lowering costs for families; tackling the climate crisis and securing energy independence; closing the racial wealth gap and investing in small businesses; restoring Roe v. Wade as the law of the land; protecting communities from the scourge of gun violence and protecting freedoms for all Americans; and securing our border and strengthening American leadership worldwide.

The Democratic Party’s Platform stands in stark contrast to Donald Trump’s RNC Platform. Donald Trump placed the architects of Project 2025 at the helm of the RNC Platform Committee to help him implement his extreme agenda to institute a national abortion ban, give handouts to his billionaire donors on the backs of middle-class Americans, make cuts to Medicare and Social Security, and ensure he can be a dictator on “day one.” Where the Democratic Platform fights to advance this bold agenda, Donald Trump and Project 2025 are planning to strip away Americans’ freedoms and dismantle our democracy. The contrast could not be more stark.

Critical Analysis and Public Reception

A notable critique of the 2024 platform comes from an independent voter perspective. The second longest section is devoted to democracy, freedom and equity. This single chapter is 18 pages long. The first section is devoted to judicial appointments, and sort of reads like a call to a judicial appointment bidding war. The word “non-partisan” does not appear in this section; the critique argues that what should be demanded of judges first and foremost is non-partisanship. It is of course nowhere to be found.

As a new independent voter, the concern is that taxpayer-funded primary elections are closed to a quarter of registered voters in New Mexico. Closed primaries – those that are only open to those voters registered with a major party – are the largest single source of voter suppression in the modern era. Independent voters are the fastest growing segment of voters in the country. The Democratic platform is silent on this matter in its earnest argument for voter access.

The section on equity will likely make MAGA readers’ heads explode simply because it says “equity.” It pretty much talks about guaranteeing equal rights under the law for every American regardless of race, gender or identity. Pretty mind-blowing stuff, that. Equity is hardly a new idea.

The critique also notes that the platform is too long. The RNC platform, while pretty much a Trump manifesto, is at least digestible in less than an hour. For substance, it’s an even draw. The DNC platform doesn’t make me angry like the Republican platform did. The DNC platform didn’t make me feel anything. There is a definite effort to appeal to patriotism and national pride, but it doesn’t quite get there for me. From a policy perspective, for all its length, the Democratic platform was as short on specifics as the GOP document. Neither document is particularly economically responsible; neither mentions the federal debt. Both discuss reducing prices without actionable plans.

The critique gives the Democrats the platform battle by a nose, merely for having the discipline to draft an original document instead of cutting and pasting together the nominee’s social media posts and campaign speeches. There is no clear idea of who the audience is for this thing. The Democratic National Convention, like the platform, will be a largely self-congratulatory event. Hours of broadcast primetime will be spent conveying the same messages to the same friendly audiences. The GOP convention was no different. With 10 weeks until Election Day and so many swing voters left to convert, one wonders if there isn’t a better use of all this opportunity? Merritt Hamilton Allen is a PR executive and former Navy officer.

Voter Access and Primary Elections

A significant concern raised by an independent voter perspective is the issue of closed primaries. Taxpayer-funded primary elections are closed to a quarter of registered voters in New Mexico. Closed primaries – those that are only open to those voters registered with a major party – are identified as the largest single source of voter suppression in the modern era. Independent voters are the fastest growing segment of voters in the country. The Democratic platform is silent on this matter in its earnest argument for voter access.

This omission is noted as a critical gap in the platform's discussion of democracy and freedom. While the platform devotes significant space to democracy, freedom, and equity—spanning 18 pages—there is no mention of the independent voter access issue in primary elections. This silence is particularly notable given the growing number of voters who identify as independent and are excluded from participating in taxpayer-funded primary elections.

Judicial Appointments and Non-Partisanship

The platform's first section on judicial appointments has been critiqued for its focus on partisan considerations rather than non-partisanship. The section reads like a call to a judicial appointment bidding war. The critique notes that the word “non-partisan” does not appear in this section, which is concerning to those who believe that non-partisanship should be the foremost requirement for judges. The absence of this term from the platform's discussion of judicial appointments suggests a partisan approach to the judiciary rather than an emphasis on impartiality.

Equity and Equal Rights

The platform's equity section has drawn attention for its straightforward approach to guaranteeing equal rights under the law for every American regardless of race, gender, or identity. While some may find this controversial, the critique notes that equity is hardly a new idea. The section essentially talks about guaranteeing equal rights under the law for every American regardless of race, gender or identity. This is presented as a fundamental American principle rather than a radical new concept.

Platform Length and Substance

A recurring criticism of the 2024 Democratic platform is its length and lack of specificity. The platform is described as too long, with the RNC platform noted as being more digestible. For substance, the critique suggests it's an even draw between the two party platforms. The Democratic platform is criticized for being as short on specifics as the GOP document, particularly on economic matters. Neither document is described as particularly economically responsible, and neither mentions the federal debt. Both discuss reducing prices without providing actionable plans.

The critique gives the Democrats the platform battle by a nose, primarily for having the discipline to draft an original document rather than cutting and pasting together the nominee's social media posts and campaign speeches. However, there is uncertainty about the intended audience for such a lengthy document.

Convention and Messaging Strategy

The Democratic National Convention, like the platform, is expected to be a largely self-congratulatory event. Hours of broadcast primetime will be spent conveying the same messages to the same friendly audiences. The critique notes that the GOP convention was no different. With 10 weeks until Election Day and so many swing voters left to convert, there is a question about whether there might be a better use of all this opportunity.

This raises questions about the strategic effectiveness of both party conventions and platforms in reaching undecided voters and influencing the election outcome. The critique suggests that both parties may be preaching to the converted rather than expanding their appeal to swing voters.

Contrast with Republican Platform

The Democratic Party's platform is explicitly contrasted with Donald Trump's RNC platform. Donald Trump placed the architects of Project 2025 at the helm of the RNC Platform Committee to help him implement his extreme agenda. This agenda is described as including a national abortion ban, giving handouts to billionaire donors on the backs of middle-class Americans, making cuts to Medicare and Social Security, and ensuring he can be a dictator on "day one."

In contrast, the Democratic Platform is presented as fighting to advance a bold agenda that protects Americans' freedoms and democracy. The platform stands in stark contrast to Donald Trump's RNC Platform, with the Democratic Party arguing that Donald Trump and Project 2025 are planning to strip away Americans' freedoms and dismantle our democracy. The contrast is described as stark.

Development Process

The 2024 Democratic Party Platform was developed through an extensive process involving the Platform Committee's engagement with communities across the country. Hundreds of submissions were received through the Written Platform Testimony Portal, and there were countless conversations with community leaders from coalitions across the Democratic Party. This comprehensive process was designed to ensure the platform reflects the diverse perspectives and unifying values of the Democratic Party.

The platform was drafted and approved by the Platform Committee on July 16, 2024, before Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race on July 21, 2024. The platform was then adopted by the Democratic National Committee during the 2024 Democratic National Convention on August 19, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois.

Conclusion

The 2024 Democratic Party Platform represents a comprehensive document outlining the party's policy priorities and positions on domestic and foreign affairs. It focuses on growing the economy, lowering costs for families, tackling the climate crisis, securing energy independence, closing the racial wealth gap, investing in small businesses, restoring Roe v. Wade, protecting communities from gun violence, and securing the border while strengthening American leadership worldwide.

The platform has received mixed reviews, with praise for its comprehensive approach and originality, but criticism for its length, lack of specificity on economic matters, and silence on issues like independent voter access in primary elections. The platform serves as a contrast to the Republican platform, with the Democratic Party positioning itself as protecting Americans' freedoms and democracy against what it characterizes as extreme agendas.

As with all party platforms, the 2024 Democratic Platform is a guiding document rather than a binding commitment, intended to distinguish Democratic candidates and outline the party's vision for the country's future.

Sources

1. Fiveable - Democratic Party Platform
2. Democrats of Pacific County - 2024 Platform
3. Ballotpedia - The Democratic Party Platform, 2024
4. Citydesk - The 2024 DNC Platform: A Lot of Parade Candy