The delay of the Democratic National Convention forced by the coronavirus means likely nominee Joe Biden must wait until late summer before beginning to spend millions in campaign funds to defeat President Trump.

Federal law prohibits candidates for national office from spending general election funds before securing their party’s nomination. Even if Bernie Sanders suspends his campaign for the Democratic nomination immediately, Biden cannot claim the crown until he receives a ratifying vote of delegates to the party’s quadrennial national convention. Originally scheduled for mid-July, the Democratic National Committee kicked the gathering to the week of Aug. 17, costing Biden an entire month of control over his resources.

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