Superdelegate

Defined
A term used to refer to a class of delegates to the Democratic Party's national presidential nominating convention. Superdelegates are not elected through the normal primary and caucus process. They are designated by party rules and include high elected officials (members of Congress and governors), party committee members and some former office holders. Unlike delegates awarded through primaries and caucuses, superdelegates are not required to stay pledged to a specific candidate. In 2008, the Democratic Party has designated 796 superdelegates. An estimated 4,049 total delegates will vote at the national convention, including superdelegates. A candidate needs a total of 2,025 delegate votes to win the party's nomination.

HISTORY
Superdelegates were first established by the Democratic Party in 1984, in order to give senior party leaders a larger voice in the nominating process. The creation of super delegates was largely seen as a reaction to the growing influence of rank-and-file voters and grassroots activists who party leaders believed had exerted too much control over the nominating process starting in the 1970s. While the Republican Party does not have superdelegates, the party does grant delegate status to a relatively small number of party committee members.

• 796 Insiders May Hold Key (Feb. 10, 2008)
• Battle for Superdelegates (Jan. 30, 2008)
• The Role of Delegates (CFR, Feb. 6, 2008)

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