Story highlights The Democratic National Committee has narrowed its list of 2016 convention sites

The DNC is considering hosting its 2016 convention during July 18, July 25 or August 22

Phoenix, Arizona and Birmingham, Alabama were the latest cut from the list

The Democratic National Committee announced Monday that Columbus, Ohio, Philadelphia and New York are the finalists to host the 2016 presidential nominating convention.

Phoenix, Arizona and Birmingham, Alabama did not make the latest cut.

DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz informed Democrats of the decision to winnow the list to these three cities in an email. In a press release, the committee said that several weeks are under consideration to hold the convention: July 18, July 25 and August 22.

"We're thrilled to move to the next step of the selection process to determine where Democrats will come together to nominate the 45th President of the United States," said Wasserman Schultz said in a statement.

The DNC also noted that it would name the host city in the new year.