CHARLOTTE – The 2012 Democratic National Convention will be shortened by a day and take place in three Charlotte-area venues in an effort to make it more open and accessible, committee and local leaders announced Tuesday.

Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx was joined by Concord Mayor Scott Padgett, Democratic National Convention Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz and DNC CEO Steve Kerrigan for the announcemt at Bank of America Stadium.

The convention will kick off on Labor Day, Monday Sept. 3, with a community celebration at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The convention will then move to Time Warner Cable Arena before closing out Sept. 6 at Bank of America Stadium, where President Barack Obama will accept the party's nomination. The move mirrors Obama's 2008 decision to close out the Denver convention at Mile High Stadium.

“By choosing some of these large venues, these iconic venues, for this convention and related activities, we are engaging more Americans than ever before and allowing them to participate in a convention activity, making history right here in North Carolina,” Foxx said.

Leaders say the changes will engage as many Americans as possible from the Carolinas, Virginia and the South.

Kerrigan did not give specifics but said fundraising for the convention was on track.