DNC Unity Reform Commission Recommends Slashing Number of Superdelegates
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What’s the story?
Since Hubert Humphrey was nominated to the Democratic presidential ticket at the 1968 party convention, despite never having run in a single primary, the Democratic party has had superdelegates. Superdelegates, or "unpledged" delegates, can vote however they choose, separately from the pledged state delegates who have to reflect the will of primary or caucus voters.
On Saturday the Unity Reform Commission (URC), created by the Democratic National Committee (DNC), announced a recommendation that superdelegates be slashed by 60 percent starting with the 2020 presidential primary.
What is a superdelegate?
Superdelegates, technically called "unpledged" delegates, are party leaders, fundraisers and lobbyists. They are theoretically set-up as a counterbalance to grassroots activist candidates, allowing for stability and continuity in party direction, and preventing the election of unelectable, or single-issue, candidates.
Superdelegates can vote however they choose, regardless of the will of voters in their state. They also only vote at the annual convention, so can switch their vote at any time up until that point, unlike state, or pledged, delegates, that must vote according to their primary or caucus results.
The publication of some superdelegate’s endorsements of Hillary Clinton prior to the party convention in 2016 prompted Bernie Sanders and others in the progressive wing of the party to call for the elimination of superdelegates, as well as other party reforms.
The URC, combining Clinton and Sanders’ supporters, was created to address those concerns and make recommendations.
In the month leading up to the the URC's announcement, the movement to eliminate superdelegates picked up steam. Tulsi Gabbard, who left DNC leadership to support Sanders during the presidential primary, circulated a new petition called on the elimination of superdelegates. Then Senator Tim Kaine (VA), former party chairman and vice-presidential running mate of Hillary Clinton, was reported by Politico to have also called for the elimination of superdelegates, calling the practice undemocratic.
"I have long believed there should be no superdelegates. These positions are given undue influence in the popular nominating contest and make the process less democratic."
The recommendation of the URC, reported by NPR and the Washington Post, is to leave Democratic lawmakers, governors and distinguished party leaders" as unpledged, but require all other DNC members to vote in accordance with the majority of voters in their state. This would reduce the ranks of unpledged delegates by nearly 60 percent.
The recommendations of the Commission won’t be adopted until they are voted on by the DNC’s bylaws committee, and then by the entire DNC.
What do you think?
Do you think the DNC should completely eliminate superdelegates, or obligate them to vote consistent with their state primaries and caucuses? Why or why not?
Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!
— Asha Sanaker
(Photo Credit: Disney/ABC Television via Flickr / Creative Commons)
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