How are delegates apportioned

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

My understanding is that a candidate needs 15% in a state to get delegates in a Democratic primary.  Once he reaches that threshold, delegates are awarded proportionally.  But looking at the latest round of primaries, I have two questions.

1.) Only Kerry got 15% in Delaware, yet Sharpton, who finished 6th, apparently got a delegate.  How?

2.) In the recent Missouri Primary, Kerry more than doubled Edwards, but only got 36 delegates compared to 26 for Edwards.  This hardly seems proportional.

Can anyone explain exactly how these delegates are apportioned?

Nick

[minionofmidas]

I had the same kind of questions.
Additionally, Dean got 13% in AZ, but was awarded Delegates. What is going on here?

[Gustaf]

The rules for every state primary is on this site, and it does say 15% threshold for Arizona, and many others as well. Dave?

[7,052,770]

The Sharpton getting 1 delegate in Delaware is the wierdest.

[© tweed]

The Sharpton getting 1 delegate in Delaware is the wierdest.

I think it has something to do with where Sharpton got the votes.

[ElectionAtlas]

I took a bit of a shortcut with the description - its actually more complex.  I will endeavour to make the descriptions more complete.  For example in Delaware, the following is the delegate allocation:

    * Statewide: 5
    * City of Wilmington: 2
    * New Castle County: 4
    * Kent County: 2
    * Sussex County: 2

there is a 15% threshold to receive delegates in each of these geographic areas.  Sharpton won 16% in Wilmington and split the two delegates with Kerry (one each).

Most states apportion delegates statewide and by Congressional District, allocating them proportionally with the 15% threshold.  In AZ, though, delegates are awarded by "region" which do not line up with CDs.  Dean won 15% in region 4, 17% in regions 7 and 8.

[Gustaf]

I took a bit of a shortcut with the description - its actually more complex.  I will endeavour to make the descriptions more complete.  For example in Delaware, the following is the delegate allocation:

    * Statewide: 5
    * City of Wilmington: 2
    * New Castle County: 4
    * Kent County: 2
    * Sussex County: 2

there is a 15% threshold to receive delegates in each of these geographic areas.  Sharpton won 16% in Wilmington and split the two delegates with Kerry (one each).

Most states apportion delegates statewide and by Congressional District, allocating them proportionally with the 15% threshold.  In AZ, though, delegates are awarded by "region" which do not line up with CDs.  Dean won 15% in region 4, 17% in regions 7 and 8.

OK, thanks for clearing that up. Now it, well, doesn't make a lot of sense as a system, but at least as a result.