election democrat convention kicks off

ABC story at 5p

Coverage of the 20-20 election.... it's a new look for the democrats' biggest event of the year: the democratic national convention.

...but coronavirus is forcing the party to pivot from milwaukee to an online celebration.

The convention kick off traditionally signals the race to election day.... with the formal nomination of joe biden and kamala harris on the democraitc ticket.

And that's about the only thing that will be the same from year?s past.

Here's andrew dymburt on what to expect.

L3: election 2020 white democratic national convention kicks off tonight online celebration only l3: election tonight online celebration only l3: election 2020 white kicks off tonight online celebration only l3: election kicks off tonight online celebration only l3: election 2020 white andrew dymburt abc news it?s unlike any other democratic national convention in history.

Dncc secretary ofirah yheskel ?i think it will be different than what people are used to, but also exciting,?

Dncc secretary ofirah yheskel the dnc kicking off today ?

Virtually.

The coronavirus pandemic forcing both political parties to rethink their star studded national conventions.

This week, the democrats producing a high- tech live stream of their events ?

Bringing political luminaries from around the country to speak and entertain an online audience.

Jennings: our conventions are how our country hears from us and participates in the democratic process as we carry on the path toward november.?

The digital dnc featuring a who?s- who of party leaders including senator bernie sandiers ?

And even former ohio governor and conservative republican john kasich.

Democrats have also unveiled three republican women who will be speaking and endorsing joe biden for president.

But the biggest star giving the keynote address is former first lady michelle obama.

President trump meanwhile ?

On his way to swing states minnesota and wisconsin ?

Slamming democrats for pre-recording some speeches.

Trump you want to go to a snooze at?

When you hear a speech is taped, it's like there's nothing very exciting about it, right a new abc news washington post poll shows joe biden holding a 12 point lead over president trump among registered voters with enthusiasm for his campaign up 20- points since biden picked sen.

Kamala harris as his running mate.

Harris telling african american news site ?the grio??.

Kamala harris: ?i would encourage everybody look, you may not fall in love with who you're voting for.

But if you just look out on a piece of paper at the issues that are impacting you every day.?

And as trump prepares for counter- programming this week, in an effort to steal some spotlight from his political rival ...the president offering one last parting shot at the democrats.

Trump: ?i beat all those people last time.?

Andrew dymburt tag: as the convention gets underway the debate over how to vote in the upcoming election continues and is sure to be a major talking point amongst dnc leaders.

President trump continues to claim -without evidence-that mail in voting will lead to widespread voter fraud while the postmaster general-a trump ally and major gop donor- has agreed to testify next monday on cutting back on services for the post office.

Andrew dymburt, abc news, washington, d.c.