More than 1,000 DNC delegates voted against the proposed party platform

The platform ultimately passed despite opposition from a signifiant number of delegates.

Published: August 24, 2020 4:01pm

Updated: August 24, 2020 6:38pm

More than 1,000 delegates at last week's Democratic National Convention voted against the party's proposed platform, highlighting the ongoing split between the party's progressive and moderate factions.

While the platform ultimately passed with 3,562 "yes" votes, 1,069 delegates voted against it, and 87 abstained, according to Fox News

The outlet reported that the party's 2020 platform stems from six policy task forces developed by Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee and a party moderate, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the runner-up in the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and leader of the party's progressive wing.

Sanders indicated he would back the final platform, but hundreds of Sanders' delegates revealed prior to the convention that they would oppose the platform as an element of a symbolic protest, according to Fox News.

The number of "no" votes is similar to the number of delegates pledged to Sanders, according to Fox News. 

Party officials apparently divulged the vote numbers following pressure applied by Sanders delegates, the outlet reported.

Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, one of the four progressive congresswomen who comprise "the Squad," divulged prior to the start of the convention that she voted against the proposed platform.

California Rep. Ro Khanna cast his vote against the proposed platform and also highlighted the issue of healthcare.

"The premise of our nation is every person has dignity," Khanna said, according to Fox News. "Our health care should not depend on what job you have or whether you are employed. During this pandemic, we need to commit to extending Medicare to every American. This has been part of our platform since 1980 and should be part of it again."

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