US election delegate formula

2008-02-05 08:25

Washington - As Americans vote in the "Super Tuesday" 24-state White House nominating contests, here is a run-down of the crucial facts and formulas which will decide White House nominees.

Delegates at stake on February 5:

Republicans have 948 delegates and 133 super-delegates, meaning a total of 1 081.

Democrats have 1 692 delegates (including 11 delegates representing Democrats Abroad) and 392 super-delegates, with a total of 2 084.

Voting:

To be chosen through primary election or caucus.

Superdelegate:

Party official or luminary; they are unpledged to any candidate and vote as they like.

Democrats

A Democratic presidential candidate requires 2 025 of the total 4 049 delegates available to win the nomination.

Through four contested nominating contests, Democrat Barack Obama has piled up 59 pledged delegates, Hillary Clinton has 57, and John Edwards, who folded his campaign last week, had 26.

Republicans

A Republican candidate needs 1 191 of the total 2 380 delegates available to become his party's presidential candidate in November.

Through seven early Republican nominating contests, Arizona Senator John McCain has amassed 162 pledged delegates, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has 105 delegates, and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee has 29.

- AFP