​As the presidential primary season unfolds, it seems more and more likely that no single Republican candidate will obtain the necessary number of delegates to achieve a majority. 2,472 delegates are in play, so in order to receive the Republican nomination, a candidate must earn 1,237. As of April 6, Donald Trump is in the lead with 755 delegates, 482 short of what he needs. Ted Cruz’s win in the primary in Wisconsin on April 5, makes it less likely for Trump to outright win the needed number of delegates. According to Politico, Cruz walked away with 30 of that state’s 42 delegates.
​With only 879 delegates left in play, Trump needs to win 55% of the remaining delegated to avoid an open (or brokered convention). With the understanding that climbing that mountain is very unlikely, the Republican Party (GOP) put up a web site (https://gop.com/convention-facts/?convention_type=how) outlining the process for achieving a nominee when no one candidate has received a majority.
​The first round of voting that takes place at a convention is one that reflects the results of the primary elections. Delegates are “bound” to vote according to the results of the elections or caucusing that has already taken place in their states. If this round doesn’t produce a candidate with a majority of the delegates, another round of voting takes place. Half of the delegates are released from the requirement of voting according to the primary elections or caucuses. They can vote as they choose. If a candidate receives a majority of the delegates this second time around, then the party has a nominee. If a majority is still not obtained, more delegates are released from the requirement of voting based on election results and can vote as they choose until a candidate receives a majority and nominee is selected.
​The GOP characterizes this as an “open and transparent convention.” However, the backroom deals and agreements that are made on the sly are likely to greatly impact how the released delegates vote after the first round. There have been a good many conventions like this in the past. In fact, one of our greatest presidents Abraham Lincoln received his party’s nomination in this way. So although Trump may go into the convention with the lead in delegates it is not clear at all he will immerge as the Republican nominee. Mr. Walls explained that based on current polling, the republican candidate most likely to come close to Hillary Clinton in the general election is Kasich. Bernie Sanders, however, appears to be beating every remaining Republican. In simple terms: “this entire election cycle is pants on head crazy”