Contested Convention
A national party convention that requires multiple ballots to nominate a presidential candidate because no one clinched the needed delegates beforehand.
A contested convention is one in which no candidate arrives at the national convention having secured a majority of delegates through the primary and caucus process. The formal term used by parties is often 'open convention' or 'multi-ballot convention.'
When the first ballot does not produce a majority winner, additional ballots are held. Party rules determine when and how pledged delegates are released to vote for candidates of their choice on subsequent ballots.
Contested conventions can last multiple days and involve intense political maneuvering among state delegations, campaigns, and party officials. The outcome can produce a nominee who did not lead the delegate count going in.
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A national party convention where no candidate arrives with enough delegates to win on the first ballot, requiring negotiation to select a nominee.
The national gathering of a political party's delegates that formally nominates the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
A party representative selected during primaries or caucuses who votes for a presidential nominee at the national convention.
A convention delegate who is bound by party rules to vote for a specific candidate based on primary or caucus results.