Brokered Convention 101

By now we should all know we do not actually vote on our President. We use an Electoral College system which allows us to vote for someone who votes for us. Typically, that person’s vote reflects the vote of those represented but not always. What many may not know is that our Primary process works very similarly.

In the Primary Election we are not actually voting for a candidate but rather a delegate. That delegate then is charged with voting to reflect our votes. For a candidate to win the Primary he or she must reach a total of 1,144 delegate votes out of a total of 2,286. One may notice the number to reach is one more than half the total.

That is why, with four candidates running, it is looking more and more like neither will reach that number. Should that happen, we go to a Brokered Convention. This is when all the rules change and our votes are out the window.

When the Republican Party has its convention that is when those delegates cast their vote. Should there not be 1,144 delegate votes for any single candidate, the delegates no longer have to reflect our original votes. At such a time, they are free to vote as they see fit.

That is why, at that time, it is possible for a new candidate to emerge. Prior to the Convention, of course, we will all know the delegate tally. That number is available as the election results are counted. July 31 is the day of the last Primary vote. The Republican National Convention begins August 27 and last until the 30th.

Assuming nothing is resolved by July 31, the republicans will have until the end of August to decide on someone. And that could be anyone willing. During the Convention, those who are likely contenders, including those currently in the race, will have an opportunity to sway as many delegates as possible.

And then they vote. The winner would still need the magic number of 1,144 but by then the delegates would have also had time to talk among themselves. This is the game Ron Paul is currently playing. He is winning only just enough delegates to ensure nobody will reach 1,144. Then he is installing his most loyal supporter as that delegate.

I will allow the reader to speculate on the purpose of Paul’s strategy.

It is also possible for those candidates who may eventually dropout to transfer their won delegates to another candidate. They typically do this through an official endorsement but there is no reason it has to be a public event. This scenario is the most likely as the Primary season continues but, as most of us are not enthusiastic about the candidates currently running, the Brokered Convention is our best hope.