Superdelegate (Wordcount: 229)

I thought this would be a good place to start the Wordcount series given some comments about superdelegates from friends.  It took a tidy bit of research to understand the full history and function of a superdelegate, and I am happy to report that, despite initial suggestions that they fall from outer space in metal crates, superdelegates are human.  I’m not going to go into depth about what a delegate is, so if you don’t understand the United States’ presidential primary process, this will just be confusing to you.  I point you toward THIS or THAT if you need info on our voting process.

REMINDER: the Wordcount series is an attempt to explain complex ideas, theories, and practices in the simplest form possible, using the fewest words necessary.

This started as 879 – it took a lot of shaving and simplification.  Here goes.

Superdelegate (229)

Superdelegate is an informal title for a type of delegate in the United States House of Representatives.  Superdelegates exist within the Democratic Party.

After heavy infighting and mistrust within the Democratic Party (stemming from various fiascos in 1968, 1972, and 1976), the Democratic Party sought an electoral system that enabled voters in the primaries to select the party’s nominee while allowing party leaders to shift delegates before a convention to give one candidate a significant lead.  They aimed to prevent conflicts at the Democratic National Convention.

Thus, superdelegates were formed and first used in the 1984 primaries.  A superdelegate is a current or former party leader elected official (PLEO) who has control of a substantive number of the delegates within the state they represent.  Superdelegates may be:

recognized members of the DNC; the Democratic President and the Democratic Vice President (if applicable); Democratic members of the House of Representatives and Senate; Democratic governors; former Democratic Presidents and Vice-Presidents; former Democratic Leaders of the U.S. Senate; former Democratic Speakers of the House; Democratic Minority Leaders; and former Chairs of the Democratic National Committee.

Superdelegates are selected within each state by a selecting body (a selection committee formed in-party within each state).  Superdelegates are only expected to shift their delegates in the case of a tight election to maintain party stability, and they currently make up 20% of the DNC delegates.