Superdelegates and uncommitted delegates may decide close primary elections for the Democratic and Republican parties. Democrats have about 800 superdelegates, while Republicans have just over 100 uncommitted delegates. To influence them, contact local representatives and be respectful. A significant letter-writing campaign from constituents can build influence. Candidates also court these special delegates.
Superdelegates and uncommitted delegates are special members of the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively, who may be called upon to decide extremely close primary elections to nominate a presidential candidate. The Democratic Party has about 800 superdelegates and may be responsible for about 20% of the vote. There are far fewer uncommitted delegates, just over 100, in the Republican Party. The Republican race for a presidential nomination must be exceptionally close for uncommitted delegates to be the deciding factor in a race, as their votes represent only about 5% of the total delegate vote.
In both cases, it may be possible to influence the vote of a superdelegate or an uncommitted delegate. But you have to know who these people are to do that. For Democrats, you can count most Democratic members of Congress, most Democratic governors, and major-city Democratic mayors as superdelegates. If you are unsure whether a person is a superdelegate, you can contact the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to obtain listings. The lists can also be published by the candidate you support and by some television or newspaper sites. The fewer delegates not pledged to the Republican Party may prompt more research; consider contacting the Republican Party if you want a list.
When a primary race is very close, you might try to influence a superdelegate to endorse your preferred candidate. Think local first. You can be more influential among those people who expect you to vote for them in the next election. For example, contacting local senators, your state’s governor, or your district’s house representatives may be your best first choice. These are all representatives of the superdelegates who will want your support in future elections.
You must not tell a superdelegate that you will not vote for them in a future election. Instead, simply state your candidate preference and the reason(s) you hope the superdelegate will endorse your candidate. Be respectful of superdelegates or uncommitted delegates and their contributions. Also, keep in mind if the noncommitted or superdelegate has already pledged their support to a candidate you are not backing. While this support isn’t “official” until a vote is actually cast at the convention, most people won’t change their minds because that would betray political allegiances. Try to target superdelegates who haven’t officially endorsed a candidate yet.
Typically, a single person, unless he’s a master at persuasive writing, won’t sway the uncommitted or superdelegates. More often than not, you need a significant letter-writing campaign from a number of the person’s constituents to build influence. Keep in mind that the candidates themselves also court these special delegates. Never disparage the other candidate or make threats and heed your candidate’s requests not to contact these proxies if they ask.
Some delegates will be more open to influence than others, especially if they receive a large number of requests from their potential voters in future campaigns. Others have already decided or won’t decide until the convention proper, when they will vote with the candidate with the most delegates to preserve party unity. Even when you can’t sway a superdelegate, reaching out to your political officials is an excellent way to get more involved in the political process.
Thomas Jefferson once said: “The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate.” Before contacting your elected officials, make sure you are fully briefed on the issues you wish to press, especially the opponents’ record in a primary race. Then, as Jefferson suggests, use this information to participate in and defend the democratic process enjoyed by Americans, soliciting support from superdelegates or underengaged delegates in an informed, intelligent, and respectful way.
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