Can someone explain the New York State Primary to me?

[hedgehog]

New York has a total of 281 delegates. I think 151 are chosen by direct election during the primary. I think there are 45 ex-offico delegates (possibly including Hillary CLinton as a Democratic US Senator) and 85 selected at the state convention in May. Here's the kicker; in New York, on Primary Day, you select both a candidate and a slate of delegates. Only Obama and Clinton have complete delegate slates in each congressional district. Edwards has delegates in about half the districts. If I'm right, the delegates selected February 5 will be divided between Obama and Clinton. I don't know what a vote for a candidate with no slate of delegates means.





And you thought the Iowa caucus was weird!

[Jim__]

1. The NY Times has a brief explanation.

here

[hedgehog]

2. I've been looking at that, but it doesn't mention the fact that you

select a candidate AND a slate of delegates on Primary Day. What happens if your candidate doesn't have a slate of delegates?

[Renew Deal]

3. Delegates are assigned per congressional district

So the delegates with the most votes in the CD will "win." Delegates are mandated to fit a mix of gender and race. People can vote for any 1 candidate and a number of delegates (5-6). In 2004 I voted for Clark, and some of Kucinich's and Kerry's delegates.

Candidates that win a CD, but don't have delegates, don't get delagates. Kerry didn't have many in 2004. Others transfered their delegates to him, because the race was over. I doubt there would be any sharing in a close race. Dean was the only one to put on a full slate in 2004. Clark was was missing 2 CD's. Everyone else was far behind.

2004 results: http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/elections/2004/democraticpp2004.htm

List of delegates in NY: http://www.elections.state.ny.us/reports/rwservlet?cmdkey=Candidate_List_PP_2007

[hedgehog]

4. So, the candidate race is basically a straw poll, and it's the delegate race that counts;

which means that 151 delegates will be split among Clinton, Edwards and Obama on Primary Day. The party leaders will determine where the rest of the delegates go depending on whether they stick with Clinton or go with th popular vote.


I guess my buddy will vote with his heart for Kucinich in the straw poll and vote with his head for his second choice Obama in the delegate selection.

[Renew Deal]

5. The candidates maximum number of delegates depends on the number running.

Edwards will not be eligible for as many as Hillary or Obama.