100 signatures reached
To: Tolulope Kevin Olasanoye, Executive Director at Rhode Island Democratic Party
Make RI Superdelegates reflect the will of the people!
In 2016, Bernie Sanders won the Rhode Island Democratic primary with almost 55% of the vote. Of the 33 delegates to the national convention, he received 13 pledged delegate votes and Hillary Clinton received 11 pledged delegate votes. However, when the time came for RI delegates at the Democratic National Convention to vote, Hillary Clinton received all 9 "superdelegate" votes, making the total votes for RI equal 20 for Hillary and 13 for Bernie.
We believe that this was undemocratic and that these superdelegates did not represent the will of Rhode Islanders. So we are asking that the Rhode Island Democratic Party update its 2020 Delegate Selection Plan to include language that would require superdelegates (aka automatic delegates) to pledge to vote proportionally based on the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary results.
We believe that this was undemocratic and that these superdelegates did not represent the will of Rhode Islanders. So we are asking that the Rhode Island Democratic Party update its 2020 Delegate Selection Plan to include language that would require superdelegates (aka automatic delegates) to pledge to vote proportionally based on the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary results.
Why is this important?
The superdelegate process is undemocratic and allows for party leaders and insiders to undermine the will of the people. In 2016, we saw how the will of RIers was tossed aside as Hillary Clinton won the most votes, even though she overwhelmingly lost the election here in RI.