Battle over NH superdelegates

Presidential nominees are not chosen by popular vote.  Instead, nominees get a certain number of delegates from each state primary they win.  Those delegates go on to vote for the nominee in a national convention for each party. 

Then there are “superdelegates,” Democratic party members who can vote for any candidate they personally support.

Although Bernie Sanders won the New Hampshire Democratic primary with a 22% lead over Hillary Clinton, almost every superdelegate from New Hampshire has announced support for Hillary Clinton.

Sanders is leaving New Hampshire with 15 regular delegates and no superdelegates.  Clinton is leaving New Hampshire with 9 regular delegates and 6 superdelegates.  2 superdelegates from New Hampshire are still undecided. 

Some voters argue that the superdelegates are subverting the democratic process and undermining New Hampshire voters.

The Republican Party even launched a petition to give Sanders a proportional share of the superdelegates.

“Democrats have set up an undemocratic system that allows party elites called ‘super delegates’ to single-handedly cancel out the votes of thousands of grassroots activists,” said the petition. 

Others argue that superdelegates can change their mind before the national convention, and it is highly unlikely that Democratic superdelegates would ultimately vote against the national popular vote. 

Sanders himself seems unconcerned with the superdelegate process.

“I think if we continue to do well around the country and if superdelegates - whose main interest in life is to make sure that we do not have a Republican in the White House - if they understand that I am the candidate and I believe that I am who is best suited to defeat the Republican nominee I think they will start coming over to us,” said Sanders. 

As a final note, the Republican Party also has superdelegates, although party rules require Republican superdelegates to vote for whoever won their home state's primary. 

What’s your opinion on the Democratic superdelegates?  Share your thoughts in the comments.