Delegates have a duty to represent their states at the party conventions before the presidential elections through the guidelines of certain rules which are dictated by the parties. Every state or Congressional districts have guidelines that differ in terms of delegates’ selection. In California, the rules of the Democratic Party states that the allocation of delegates to a candidate must be proportional to the candidate’s total votes she or he gets in the caucus or the primary of a state. Moreover, a candidate is qualified to get the share of the pledged delegates of a state if the votes he or she wins is not less than 15% of the total votes. On the other hand, the Republican Party allocates votes to the Congressional districts and the states. Normally, the district delegates from California always give all their votes to the winner. Also, the winner in a certain Congressional district will also be the winner of all the votes of the delegates of the district. Some 10% of the delegates serve at large, and such delegates also give all their votes to the winner. Additionally, three party leaders at the national level serve the Republic National Convention as bound delegates.
California’s late primary may determine which candidate wins their party’s nomination at the Republican and Democratic national conventions. When it comes to the Republicans, it is well understood that Trump is ahead of the pack even though he lost in Ohio, a fact that pushes his pursuit of victory in nominations an inch further. California can still guarantee him a ticket as the Republicans flag bearer if he plays his cards well. In California, Trump is facing stiff competition from Cruz who looks firm on the ground hence Trump needs to amass victories in other remaining states to accumulate the delegates he requires and deny Cruz the chance that is likely awaiting him in California.
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Additionally, it is very important to note that California Republicans offer almost the entire 172 delegate they have through congressional districts, each of the winners in every district is awarded three delegates. As a result of this, even a small candidate who is well organized could beat a high profile candidate. Another factor that makes this state a determinant in who may win the candidacy in their respective parties is its size and location. It is big a located distantly from other states, a fact that makes campaigning a complex affair, a candidate may have done their early campaigns, but if they relax, someone may come late and overtake them. California is a state that does not just give votes on the basis of running commercials, but building a strong foundation on the ground. This same case applies to the Democrats who also need to work harder in trying to determine who wins the elections. Additionally, the state requires a lot of resources to pull up the campaigns.
The primary election may make it more difficult for a party’s nominee to win the general election in November because on some occasions; it could not raise the required delegates to warranty any one candidate a nomination, except these candidates claim victories by very big margins. Nevertheless, some candidates who remain considerably behind in the numbers of delegates will face a very hard time to try bouncing back in the race. All in all, it is going to be a very difficult election year ever witnessed in the USA in recent times because of the stiff competition that each candidate on either side of the divide faces.
Bibliography
Gerston, Larry. “This Year, California will finally Influence who becomes the GOP Presidential Nominee”. Los Angeles Times. 24 March, 2016. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-0107-gerston-republican-primary-california-matters-20160107-story.html
David, Siders. “Break out the lawn signs: California’s Presidential Primary is in Play.” Capitol Alert. 24 March, 2016. http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article66460552.html
