A delegate is someone who is chosen by a group and authorized to speak on their behalf at various functions like conventions. A delegate could also be a representative of a territory (not yet a state) of the United States that can speak for that territory.  Simply put, a delegate is one who represents others.

In the United States House of Representatives, there are five delegates with reduced powers.  They are the representatives for the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.  These delegates are members of different committees in the House and can vote in them, but they cannot vote with the entire House floor.

Registered voters also have the opportunity to become delegates to their party's national convention. There are delegates chosen to represent the states at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.  Their most important role is to determine the nominees for the candidate of President and Vice President of the United States for their party.

Delegates to the national conventions also help formulate that camp's platform.  These are the very issues that a political party stands on during an election year and the issues that the candidates will debate about.  Delegates are extremely important in this process.

To be chosen as a delegate you must be qualified and registered to vote.  A delegate hopeful must also be a resident of the state they wish to represent.  Now it is up to the individual to learn the process for their state.  Every state varies in their procedures and requirements to become a delegate.  For more information just contact the Democrat or Republican headquarters for your state.  Good Luck!

A delegate is important in American politics because they are usually the first ones to do anything relating to the political system.  They choose the platform a candidate and party will stand for, and they choose the candidate that runs for president.

     Bibliography

1. Republican Party.  Home Page.  16 Oct. 2000 <www.rnc.org/eprise/main/rnc/2000/delegate.htm>.

2. Smith, and Zucher. Dictionary of American Politics. New York: Barnes and Nobles, Inc., 1971

3. Tarr, and O’Connor.  Congress A to Z. Washington DC:  Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1999