When a cnadidate drops, what are the rules

[Mr.Bill]

about gifting or transferring their delegates to another candidate? Can they officially transfer their delegates to another to help create an official majority before the convention begins, or can they only release them with a recommendation for them to vote for a certain candidate?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I *think* what happens is that the delegates the dropped-out candidate already won

by making the 15% cutoff remain their pledged delegates until the convention, when they are released and can vote for any other candidate. I don't think the dropped-out candidate can require them to vote for the person the candidate endorsed, though that would be the most likely result. Someone please correct me if this is wrong.

[Mr.Bill]

2. I'm betting that's correct, but I'm not sure. n/t

[frazzled]

3. Here are the rules. Depends on the state as well

See individual state rules at link.

What happens to delegates allocated to candidates who withdraw?
The Delegate Selection Rules for the 2020 Democratic National Convention include two provisions regarding the binding of delegates to the candidates they supported at the time of their selection.[11]

“ No delegate at any level of the delegate selection process shall be mandated by law or Party rule to vote contrary to that person’s presidential choice as expressed at the time the delegate is elected.[13] ”
—Rule 13.I (p. 14)[11]
“ Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them.[13] ”
—Rule 13.J (p. 14)[11]
Beyond this, the Delegate Selection Rules do not directly address how a candidate's withdrawal from the race before the convention affects the delegates pledged to that candidate. However, in 13 states, statutes establish provisions for the release of delegates either upon a candidate's withdrawal or after a specific number of ballots have been taken at the national convention. The table below identifies these states. In the column titled "Candidate withdrawal or release provision," a "yes" indicates that the statute allows for the release of pledged delegates either upon a candidate's withdrawal or at the explicit direction of the candidate. In the column titled "Multiple ballot provision," a "yes" indicates that the statute allows for the release of a pledged delegate after a specific number of ballots have been taken at the convention (the number in parentheses indicates the ballot on which the delegates would be released). The full text of relevant statutes and their citations are also provided.

https://ballotpedia.org/Democratic_delegate_rules,_2020

[LiberalFighter]

5. The problem I see with those state statutes is that they don't have jurisdiction.

It would need to be backed up by the state party convention rules and approved by the DNC.

[LiberalFighter]

4. I reviewed the rules a few days ago. There are no releasing of delegates.

During the first ballot. On the second ballot they are all free to vote as they wish.

And based on other rules, those delegates from candidates that have suspended their campaign are more likely to vote for the preferred candidate.

[frazzled]

6. Apparently not true for 13 states

See above

[Mr.Bill]

7. So, as Bernie supporters would say:

It's rigged.

[Dem4Life1102]

8. They can't transfer delegates to another candidate

But they can release their delegates from their pledge and recommend that they vote for another candidate. However every released delegate is free to vote for the candidate of their choice.

[Moderateguy]

9. It's pretty simple: If you were elected as a Bloomberg delegate

You are pledged to vote for Bloomberg on the first ballot.

If Bloomberg is not on the first ballot or releases you, you can vote your conscience. Bloomberg has endorsed Biden but you, as the released delegate, are under no obligation to vote for Biden.

2nd Ballot onward ALL delegates are free to vote their conscience.

Another important thing: Delegates voting their conscience are free to vote for ANY natural born US Citizen over the age of 35., does not matter if they were a candidate or even if they are in politics. You could vote for your favorite high school teacher if you wanted to.