Superdelegate

A superdelegate is an unpledged delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Superdelegates are party leaders and elected officials, including members of Congress, governors, former presidents and Democratic National Committee members. Unlike delegates chosen in primaries and caucuses, they are not bound to support any candidate.

The Democratic Party created the category in 1982 to give party officials a voice after the nominations of the 1970s and to avoid nominees the party establishment disliked. The Republican Party has a smaller group of automatic delegates, though they are generally bound by state rules. In 2016, supporters of Bernie Sanders complained that superdelegates favored Hillary Clinton, who had won many commitments before the voting began.

After the controversy, the Democratic National Committee changed the rules in 2018 so superdelegates can vote on the first ballot only if the outcome is not in doubt, meaning if the candidate has secured a majority of pledged delegates; otherwise they can vote only on later ballots. Supporters argue that the group is a safeguard against a weak nominee, while critics say it undermines the voters' choice. The system is tied to debates over caucus and primary rules. See also closed primary.