Democrats to check out potential 2016 convention sites

Democrats plan to travel to six cities this summer to evaluate potential sites for the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Officials with the Democratic National Committee are studying how each city might accommodate the tens of thousands of party leaders and activists who will flock to the convention, where the party will nominate its next presidential candidate.

The DNC said it will visit:

• Birmingham, Alabama, on July 21-22.

• Cleveland on Aug. 4-5.

• Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 6-7.

• New York City on Aug. 11-12.

• Philadelphia on Aug. 13-14.

• Phoenix on Sept. 10-11.

The group will be led by Amy Dacey, the DNC's chief executive officer, and review potential venues, hotels and transportation options for delegates, party activists and media.

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz is expected to announce the host city later this year or in early 2015.

Republicans have two finalists for its convention: Dallas and Cleveland. The Republican National Committee is scheduled to select the winning convention site later this summer.

Democrats have an exclusivity requirement, meaning if Republicans select Cleveland, that city would not be in the running to hold the Democratic party's convention, said DNC spokeswoman Lily Adams.