How We Choose A Nominee

When the 45th Democratic National Convention is called to order on Monday, August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado, it will be the culmination of more than 24 months of formal planning by the Democratic Party to structure a nominating cycle and nominating Convention that represents the Party’s principles of openness, fairness and diversity.

These formal planning efforts occur on two fronts. The first is the written codification of rules and provisions to guide the selection of delegates and alternates by the national and state Democratic Parties to the National Convention. The second is the logistical and operational planning efforts by the Party to select a Convention host city and to produce a Convention that will allow Denver and the Party to shine before an international audience.

Extra Credit: More Topics

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Check out the latest reports on delegates certified in your state and others across the country.

All delegates – both pledged and unpledged – formally cast their votes at the Convention, but voting can happen in a number of different ways...

Who are these “super delegates” getting so much attention in the media?

From "At-large" to "Unpledged," check here for definitions of Convention terms.

Which state has the largest delegation? How many miles of cable does the DNCC need to run its systems?

How do delegates spend their days in Denver?

Phil McNamara is Director of Party Affairs and Delegate Selection. In other words, he is our go-to guru on all things delegate – pledged and un-pledged.