Superdelegate
A Democratic Party automatic delegate - typically an elected official or party leader - who is not bound by primary results on the first ballot.
Superdelegates are a feature of the Democratic Party's nominating process. They are party leaders, elected officials, and other Democratic insiders who automatically receive delegate status and, under current rules, are not bound by primary or caucus results.
Since 2018 reforms, Democratic superdelegates cannot vote on the first ballot at the convention unless a candidate has already secured enough pledged delegates to win the nomination. They only become relevant if no candidate reaches the threshold on the first ballot.
The Republican Party does not have a formal superdelegate system, though its rules also give some flexibility to party officials in certain convention scenarios.
Superdelegates are sometimes controversial because critics argue they give party insiders outsized influence over the nominee selection.
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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.
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.