With the Republican National Convention approaching, the specter of a brokered convention looms like a mysterious cloud over the Presidential race. There’s been a lot of talk over not just which candidate will have the most delegates beforehand, but if and how each state’s delegates could change sides. Here’s a rundown of the rules for Virginia, and how it impacts the overall situation.
March 1, 2016 Virginia Presidential Primary Results:
Candidate Popular Vote % Delegates Awarded
Donald Trump 34.73% 17
Marco Rubio 31.91% 16
Ted Cruz 16.90% 8
John Kasich 9.42% 5
Ben Carson 5.86% 3
How many delegates are there? 49 delegates
Who are they? Delegates are typically active party members or local leaders. Each state also has three (3) delegates who are members of the Republican National Committee (RNC)
How are delegates chosen? In Virginia, each of the state’s eleven congressional districts will elect three (3) delegates at District Conventions. Thirteen (13) at-large delegates are elected at the VAGOP State Convention. Lastly, the VAGOP State Convention also elects three (3) delegates who will also serve on the RNC.
How are delegates allocated? In Virginia, the state’s forty-nine (49) delegates are allocated on a proportional basis based on the statewide popular vote totals.
At what point can delegates switch candidates? In Virginia, both congressional district delegates and at-large delegates are bound to their pledged candidate on the first ballot only.
What effect could this have on the convention? All delegates will be up for grabs unless Donald Trump wins the nomination on the first ballot.
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