ATLANTA (AP) – Democrats are considering a plan that would limit – but not abandon – the influence of “superdelegates” in the next presidential primary.
The compromise comes after a bruising 2016 primary that prompted allegations by Bernie Sanders’ supporters that the system was rigged.
Superdelegates are the party leaders and elected officials who get a say in the nomination race. In 2016, they favored Clinton by lopsided margins.
While Clinton still beat Sanders by some 3 million primary votes, it was the support from superdelegates that helped her stockpile early endorsements before most voters got to the polls.
Under the new rules, most superdelegates would have to tie their votes on the convention’s first ballot to the outcome of primaries and caucuses.