How does the delegate system work for primaries?

[Robespierre's Jaw]

How does the delegate system work for primaries?

I've always wanted to know this. Is this right or wrong? Is it who ever gets the most of the popular vote gets that percentage of delegates?

Please someone explain this to me. I also need to know this for my planned TL on the Election What If's forum "Herbert runs in 1920".

[Padfoot]

The process varies from state to state.  Some states use a winner take all method while others use a proportional method based on each candidate's percentage of the vote.  There are also superdelegates that get votes.  The superdelegates are Representatives, Senators, Governors, ect.  This is why congressional endorsements are so important.

[J. J.]

It also varies from party to party.  In PA, the Democrats have "pledged" delegates.  If you want vote for Obama, you have to vote for a candidate chosen by Obama who is bound to vote for her.  They are elected by congressional district and each each district gets a minimum number, plus a number based on how the last Presidential Nominee of the Democrats did in the last election.  The super delegates, e.g. the congressional delegation, the Governor, and state chair, are delegates ex officio.

In the GOP, each district gets 3 delegates, Plus a number based on the presidential vote in the district; they are unpledged in PA, meaning that they can use their own judgment.  They also have super delegates.

In Iowa, the regular delegates are elected by a state convention, which is composed by delegates elected at the county convention, which is elected by delegates elected at the precinct level (the caucuses).  I think they have super delegates too.

[jimrtex]

How does the delegate system work for primaries?

Lots of details here, click on links to individual states

The Democrats have more detailed requirements.  Typically, some delegates are elected on the basis of the popular vote in each congressional district, and others on the basis of the statewide vote.  Then there are additional delegate spots for elected officials.

There is a threshold of 15% to be allocated delegates, so with a lot of candidates, only 2 or 3 might get delegates.  In addition, most CDs only have a few delegates (3 to 5), so that there might be a higher effective threshold.  Texas allocates its statewide delegates on the basis of convention support.  On the night of the primary, precinct caucuses are held, which then feed into county and other conventions, and eventually into the state convention.  So this could end up being a different result than the primary-based allocation.

The GOP varies a lot between states.  In some states, the Democrat rules have been enacted into state law.  In others, such as Texas, allocation of delegates is based on the primary vote, but is less proportional, favoring the leading candidates.