#### Understanding Political Superdelegates

In American politics, **superdelegates** are a unique category of delegates to a presidential nominating convention who are seated automatically. They are a feature of the Democratic Party's nominating process and are described in formal party rules as the party leaders and elected officials (PLEO). Superdelegates are major elected officials, notable party members, and some members of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) – essentially, the Democratic elite. They are unpledged delegates, meaning they can support any candidate they choose and can switch their support at any time, right up to the actual nomination. This is in contrast to pledged delegates, who are required to support a particular candidate based on the outcomes of state primaries and caucuses.

#### Role and Influence

Superdelegates have the freedom to vote for whichever candidate they want, regardless of the outcome of the primaries, and can opt to announce their preferences at any time. Their role has been a subject of debate, with some arguing that their influence can be significant in determining the presidential nominee, particularly in the event of a brokered convention where no candidate has secured enough delegates during the primaries and caucuses to secure the nomination. However, it's important to note that superdelegates at the 2020 convention were not allowed to vote on the first ballot because there was little doubt about who the party's nominee would be.

#### History and Evolution

The concept of superdelegates originated out of dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party's performance in the 1980 election and the declining number of elites in attendance at the national convention. They were designed to inject peer review into the process and provide a mechanism for party leaders and elected officials to have a say in the nomination process. Over time, there have been efforts to revise the Democratic nominating process and reduce the power of superdelegates, following disagreements over their role at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

In summary, superdelegates are a distinctive feature of the Democratic Party's nominating process, providing a mechanism for party leaders and elected officials to have a significant influence on the selection of the party's presidential nominee. Their role and influence have been the subject of ongoing debate and efforts to reform the nominating process.

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