American Government / Unit 5 Gov 211 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Delegates and Conventions
Captions available
The idea
Delegates chosen in local primaries and caucuses carry the results to state and national conventions, voting on the voters' behalf.
In practice
A presidential nominee is formally chosen by convention delegates, not directly by primary voters.
Where people slip
The nomination is representative machinery — one more layer between voter and outcome.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for American Government