ARIZONA ELECTION

Superdelegates keep the Democratic Party from being a democracy

Mar 14, 2016, 5:15 AM

Isn’t America a great nation? It’s a country where people can vote for their leaders and really have their voice heard in every election.

What’s that? The Electoral College can interfere with that whole process?

Well, at least we get our say who runs in each party! We can pick the candidates we want to square off for the nation’s highest office!

You must not have heard of superdelegates.

The Democratic Party, much like the Republicans, relies on a series of nationwide primaries, caucuses, conventions and other events to select the most popular candidate to receive the nomination.

But the Democrats also have a system of superdelegates who can throw their support behind any candidate, at any time, for any reason, without having to answer to anyone.

Sounds kind of messed up, huh?

Take, for example, the Vermont primary. Bernie Sanders easily won the popular vote in his own state, but at least three of the state’s superdelegates cast their vote in support of Sanders’ rival, Hillary Clinton.

When you add Clinton’s superdelegates into what she’s won in primaries, she has a sizable lead over Sanders.

I guess when you think about it, the Democratic Party, named after our country’s system of democracy, really isn’t so democratic after all.

Arizona Election

...

KTAR Video

Video: Can Arizonans unseat pro-1864 abortion law justices?

A campaign has started to unseat two of the Arizona supreme court justices that voted in favor of the 1864 abortion law that is set to go into effect. KTAR News’ Chris & Joe take a closer look. Video: Jeremy Schnell and Felisa Cárdenas/KTAR News Photo: Arizona Judicial Branch

1 day ago

...

KTAR Video

Video: Why hand-counting ballots like Kari Lake wants isn’t an option

Why hand-counting ballots like Kari Lake wants isn’t an option. Jim Sharpe explains on his Sharper Point commentary. Video: Jeremy Schnell and Felisa Cárdenas/KTAR News

1 day ago

Split image of Kari Lake on the left behind closing elevator doors and a Maricopa County elections ...

Associated Press

US Supreme Court closes door on Kari Lake’s effort to ban vote-counting machines in Arizona

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to consider a request by Kari Lake to ban the use of electronic vote-counting machines in Arizona.

2 days ago

A conservative lawmaker, Austin Smith, halted his reelection campaign for the Arizona House of Repr...

Associated Press

Arizona GOP lawmaker drops reelection campaign after forgery allegations

Republican Arizona state Rep. Austin Smith halted his reelection campaign after being accused of forging signatures on his petitions.

5 days ago

AZ Political Podcast: Garrett Archer talks election integrity...

Jim Sharpe

AZ Political Podcast: Election analyst Garrett Archer with ABC15 talks election integrity

On this episode of the AZ Political Podcast, Garrett Archer, a data analyst with ABC15, sits down with Jim Sharpe to talk about elections.

6 days ago

...

KTAR Video

Video: AZ Political Podcast: Election analyst Garrett Archer with ABC15 talks election integrity

This week @abc15 data analyst Garrett Archer joins Jim Sharpe on the AZ Political Podcast to take a closer look at the probability and improbability of election fraud in Arizona. Video: Jeremy Schnell and Felisa Cárdenas/KTAR News  

6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Condor Airlines

Condor Airlines can get you smoothly from Phoenix to Frankfurt on new A330-900neo airplane

Adventure Awaits! And there's no better way to experience the vacation of your dreams than traveling with Condor Airlines.

...

COLLINS COMFORT MASTERS

Here are 5 things Arizona residents need to know about their HVAC system

It's warming back up in the Valley, which means it's time to think about your air conditioning system's preparedness for summer.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Day & Night is looking for the oldest AC in the Valley

Does your air conditioner make weird noises or a burning smell when it starts? If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement.

Superdelegates keep the Democratic Party from being a democracy