The Democratic National Committee has named four cities as finalists to host the 2012 Democratic convention. They are: Charlotte, N.C., Cleveland, Minneapolis and St. Louis.

So far, the Republican National Committee is on track to finalize Tampa, Fla., for the GOP’s convention, which will be held the week of Aug. 27, 2012. The Democrats will hold their convention the week of Sept. 3, 2012.

Next step for the DNC: tours of each venue.

“Throughout this summer, our team will visit these four cities to determine which is the best locale to host our 46th National Convention,” DNC Chairman Tim Kaine said in an e-mail announcing the finalists. “We look forward to our continued work to ensure that the Democratic National Convention of 2012 is the best that it can be.”