Democratic Party Primary Process 2012

Candidates:
President Barak Obama is running unopposed for the Democratic Presidential Nomination and is the presumptive nominee.

Delegates:
There are 4,022 Democratic Delegates of which 3,328 are pledged and 694 are unpledged or “Superdelegates”. Pledged Delegates are ethically, but not legally compelled to cast their ballots based on the results of the primaries and caucuses of the area that they represent.

Unpledged or Super Delegates:
Superdelegates in the Democratic Party are typically members of the Democratic National Committee, elected officials like senators or governors, or party leaders. They do not have to indicate a candidate preference and do not have to compete for their position. If a Superdelegate dies or is unable to participate at the convention, alternates do not replace that delegate, which would reduce the total delegates number and the number needed to clinch the nomination.

• Most delegates receive a single casting vote. However, some have fractional votes since there are more delegates than ballots.
• Delegates are allotted by a complex algorithm that compares states populations, average amount of votes casted for Democrats in previous two Presidential elections, party enrollment, the size of the area being represented, and the strength of the party in the area.

Receiving the Nomination:
Candidates need to receive 2,778 delegates to become the Democratic Presidential Nominee.

The 46th Democratic National Convention will take place on September 3, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Democratic Nominee will officially be selected at the convention.

For more information visit the Democratic Convention website or the Democratic Delegate Scorecard.