Convention Delegates: Who are they and why do they matter?

Remember: when we vote in our primaries, we are NOT voting for the actual candidates. We are voting for a slate of delegates who go on our behalf to the national convention to cast their vote for a certain candidate.

Democrats have two different types of delegates:

1. PLEDGED DELEGATES: delegates who are “bound” or “pledged” to vote for the candidate who won their state primary/caucus. There are about 3,800 pledged delegates and are typically local party activists, precinct captains, or early supporters of the winning candidate.

2. SUPERDELEGATES: big wig party leaders who are NOT "pledged” to vote for any candidate; they can vote for whomever they choose. There are about 750 superdelegates and are members of the Democratic National Committee, Democratic members of Congress, Governors, etc.