WASHINGTON — This summer, Republican and Democratic party faithful will meet to nominate their U.S. presidential candidates and approve their parties’ platforms.
But where do the delegates for these conventions come from?
When the Republicans meet in Charlotte, North Carolina, from Aug. 24 to 27, each delegate will represent their home state.
GOP delegates are selected in several ways: through elections, by the Republican State Committee, by state or congressional district conventions or by having a leadership position within the state's Republican Party.
In 2020, there will be an estimated 2,551 delegates. To win the Republican nomination, a presidential candidate must receive support from most delegates.
Most of the delegates are pledged, meaning they are bound to vote on at least the first ballot based on the results of their state's primary. Unpledged delegates are not bound by those results.
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Democrats will hold their presidential nominating convention in Milwaukee from July 13 to July 16. This year, there will be 4,750 delegates. To win the Democratic nomination, a presidential candidate must receive support from most of the pledged delegates on the first ballot. But if the convention is contested and goes to a second ballot or more, so-called automatic delegates – also known as superdelegates, who are usually made up of Democratic party leaders and elected officials – will be allowed to vote.
Democratic delegates are typically party activists, local political leaders or early supporters of a presidential candidate. They are either selected in primaries, caucuses or local party conventions or included because of their positions as elected representatives or members of the party leadership
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