How does the second ballot at the convention work?

[Alhena]

I found this blurb in an article:

"If Bloomberg walks away from the next two debates relatively unscathed, it's very difficult to see how anyone in the race will be able to stop him from securing a healthy store of delegates over the coming months. While that doesn't guarantee -- by a long shot -- that he will be the nominee, it does mean he will have a very big say in who is."

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/18/politics/michael-bloomberg-debates-polling-2020/index.html?utm_source=twCNNp&utm_content=2020-02-19T00%3A20%3A04&utm_term=image&utm_medium=social

Does this mean that the 4 candidates who are splitting the moderate vote can tell their delegates how to vote on the second ballot on the convention? If so, that gives me some hope as someone hoping we can put a moderate against Trump to avoid 4 more years of him. Because I see little chance that Sanders won't have the most delegates going into the convention.

[evertonfc]

1. Nominate a Democratic Socialist

and our party assumes that title for a long time. It will be devastating to Senate and House chances.

[uponit7771]

9. it'll be for the next 10 yrs cause the people who that term triggers will be dead ....

... but it doesn't trigger Gen x or younger.

It a draw to them because the injury to the younger generation has been republican economics, climate change and guns vs Nam and civil rights assassinations.

I can see Sanders appeal to gen x and younger, other than the violence Sanders would take it all in 15 yrs

[Horizens]

2. No

they can't dictate who their delegates should vote for. Candidates will try to persuade delegations and delegates to vote for them. If no one wins on the second ballot weaker candidates - those having negative momentum usually drop out and the real horse trading and deal making begins. In times long past, after multiple ballots a dark horse has been drafted. I don't think that can/will happen in today's political climate. But would be thrilled if Sherrod Brown, by some miracle, became the nominee.

[sweetloukillbot]

3. The delegates can vote for who they want, and the Supers are in play

I'm honestly terrified of a brokered convention, I don't want Bernie to get the nomination and don't think he can win if he does, but if he has a plurality of delegates and doesn't get it, all hell will break loose. It's a lose-lose situation.

[Moderateguy]

6. That's why I think the field will drastically narrow after Super Tuesday

[Garrett78]

4. If someone has a clear lead in pledged delegates, we're doomed if we don't nominate that individual.

[Turin_C3PO]

5. We can't deny Sanders

the nomination if he comes in with the most delegates. There would be a revolt on the left and our nominee would get trounced by Trump. It might even split our party.

[Jersey Devil]

10. I disagree

Certainly a brokered convention could carry the danger of division you speak of, but even with Bernie's lead right now, what does he have, something less than 1/3 of the vote? I would agree with you if he is close to 50%, but 1/3?

Under those circumstances, if the moderate candidates got together and agreed on a nominee they could get a majority of the votes for, couldn't much of the anger be solved by having a veep who is liberal? A Biden (or other moderate) with Warren as veep for example? I think this would especially true of one of the older candidates, like Joe or Bernie, get the nomination for Pres.

[pinkstarburst]

12. You tell me

If Biden won fair and square--had the most delegates going into the convention but not 50%, and other candidates got together on the second ballot and decided to give it to Bernie, do you see the moderate vote being cool with it so long as Bernie put Buttigieg or Klobuchar on the ticket as VP?

Because I don't. I think moderates would be rightfully angry that the candidate who had the most delegates was denied the nomination and many would stay home in protest that their votes had been ignored.

And I can guarantee you the same thing will happen no matter who comes in first in terms of delegates, if they are not named the nominee. The super delegates might have the power to get a person over 50% but if they try to change the will of the voters, it will rip the party apart and cause people to sit out in November (or vote red) in protest. It would be tantamount to stealing an election. And they would have every right to be furious.

[Jersey Devil]

13. Because of age I think it is a unique situation

Let's say the person with the most delegates is either Bernie, Joe or Bloomberg, all in their late 70's and they agree to a younger veep who would be far more likely to run for a "second term" (and perhaps a 3rd). While there might still be division I think it would be much less than simply giving away the nomination to the person with the most delegates who falls far short of a majority.

I say this because if a lot of them manage to stay in the race for a long time I see no way that anyone can get a majority of the delegates. But maybe this will all play out after Super Tuesday and several will drop out. We will just have to wait and see. I would much rather not have to deal with such a situation but I believe you have to think about it because right now it appears that is where we are headed.

[msongs]

7. the nominee needs 50% plus 1, a majority. plurality does not count nt

[uponit7771]

8. K&R, good question

[Gothmog]

11. All delegates including pledged delegates can change their votes

All delegates can vote as they see fit. Candidates have absolute approval rights over their pledged delegates and protect themselves by vetting these delegates. I was a Clinton delegate for 2016 convention and I was vetted and I vetted other Clinton delegates. Delegates are screened by normal campaigns to get person who are loyal to their candidate

[MineralMan]

14. They cannot order delegates pledged to them to vote for anyone.

They can recommend that they do, though. They can endorse another candidate for the nomination after the first ballot.

That's how that works. And if a candidate who can't become the nominee does that, the majority of their pledged delegates will take that recommendation and vote as recommended. Not all, but the vast majority.

That's how the system works. Having a plurality in the first vote does not guarantee that you'll be the nominee.