Who's Running 2028
Updated June 24, 2026

How is a vice presidential running mate chosen?

The presidential nominee personally selects their running mate. There is no primary or formal party vote. The choice is the nominee's alone, subject to informal vetting and consultation.

Choosing a vice presidential running mate is one of the most significant and personal decisions a presidential nominee makes. The Constitution sets no process for this; it is entirely up to the presidential candidate.

In modern campaigns, nominees conduct a formal vetting process managed by a small team of lawyers and senior advisors. Potential running mates submit extensive personal, financial, and legal documentation. Researchers conduct background checks and assess political compatibility, geographic balance, demographic considerations, and potential weaknesses that could harm the ticket.

The final choice belongs solely to the presidential nominee. Consultations with party elders, major donors, and close advisors are common, but the decision cannot be vetoed or overruled. Announcements typically come in the weeks before the convention, generating a major news cycle that the campaign tries to use strategically.

The convention formally confirms the VP selection through a separate nominating vote, but with the nominee's endorsement this vote is a formality. No modern convention has rejected a presidential nominee's VP choice.

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Related questions

Does the VP pick have to be from a different state than the nominee?
The 12th Amendment prohibits electors from voting for both a president and vice president who are inhabitants of the elector's state, which creates a political (not strict legal) incentive for geographic balance on the ticket.
Can the VP nominee be someone who lost in the primaries?
Yes. Former primary rivals have frequently been chosen as VP picks. The most famous example is John F. Kennedy choosing Lyndon Johnson, his main primary rival, in 1960.
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Related explainers

When are the 2028 national party conventions?

The 2028 Democratic and Republican national conventions have not been scheduled yet. Based on recent cycles, expect them in July or August 2028, several months before Election Day.

What happens at a national party convention?

The national convention formally nominates the presidential and vice presidential candidates, adopts the party platform, and serves as a major televised showcase for the party heading into the general election.

How old do you have to be to run for president?

You must be at least 35 years old. There is no maximum age. The Constitution requires the president to be 35 or older when taking office.

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