A Super Simple Explainer of the Superdelegate Kerfuffle

You might have heard about the argument between Bernie and Hillary supporters over these people called “superdelegates.” You also might have heard that they came to agreement.

What was it all about?  Here’s short relatively simple explanation in three parts.

#1. What is a super delegate?

They are political big-shots who are appointed as delegates to the convention. They don’t have to be elected and they are not bound or pledged to one candidate or another. They can cast their vote for whoever they want.

#2. What was the problem at the DNC with superdelegates?

Bernie complained that even if voters in a particular state voted for one candidate, the superdelegates didn’t have to go along with them. The superdelegates could go against the voters’ wishes and cast their vote for the other candidate. He said this was undemocratic.

#3. The solution

Instead of having a big embarrassing fight on the convention floor, the Democrats created a committee to work things out.  The committee decided to reduce the number of superdelegates who are unpledged. The remaining superdelegates would have to cast their votes in proportion to the voters. So, if 90% of voters in Vermont voted for Bernie, 90% those superdelegates would have to support Bernie at the convention. Basically, it shrinks the number of superdelegates who can do whatever they want.

But note – These changes must still be approved by yet another committee, the “Unity Commission”, which was created at this convention.  So, if the Unity Commission approves the new superdelegate rules, they will take effect at the Democratic presidential convention in 2020.