What Is a Super Delegate?

Superdelegates help to determine the presidential nominees.

The purpose of delegates are to represent a particular state at conventions during the presidential election. Super delegates account for 20 percent of the total number of delegates. Both pledged delegates and super delegates determine who will be the presidential nominees from each party during elections.

Purpose

The purpose of super delegates is similar to pledged delegates, as they help to decide the outcome of preliminary presidential elections. It is during presidential conventions that both delegates cast their votes for chosen candidates.

Members

Pledged delegates are local politicians, supporters and other activists. Super delegates are similar to regular delegates, but include elected members of more authority, such as members of Congress.

Voting

Delegates who hold pledges toward a certain party, either Democrat or Republican, reflect votes in that fashion. Super delegates are not tied to any party and may cast their vote for either of the two.

References

• Council on Foreign Relations: The Role of Delegates in the U.S. Presidential Nominating Process
• CNN: Why Delegates Matter in the Presidential Race
• 2008 Election: Glossary