The role of superdelegates could be significantly reduced in future Democratic presidential primaries under a compromise deal struck at the Democratic National Convention rules committee.
Efforts by Bernie Sanders supporters to pass amendments eliminating or limiting the power of superdelegates failed to win approval at the committee meeting in Philadelphia.
But campaigns for Sanders and Hillary Clinton on Saturday worked out an agreement to create a "unity commission" to revise the nominating process, including changing superdelegate rules, which won near-unanimous support.
The 21-member commission will study a number of issues, including how to improve access to caucuses and how to broaden the party's appeal.
For superdelegates, the commission's recommendation is that Congress members, governors and other elected officials should remain as unpledged delegates, but that other delegates would be bound proportionally to the primary results of their state.
Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver endorsed the plan, saying it would "result in the reduction of superdelegates as we know them by two-thirds."
The Clinton campaign also expressed support for the commission.
Any changes to superdelegate rules would still be subject to DNC approval. A report by the commission is due by January 2018.
The compromise came after a lengthy meeting in which Sanders supporters grew increasingly frustrated as their efforts on superdelegates were voted down.
Discussing the proposal to eliminate superdelegates, Aaron Regunberg, a Sanders delegate and a Rhode Island lawmaker, argued that the current system does not reflect "our core values."
But Clinton supporters argued that the superdelegate system brings more people into the political process and instead called for a more extensive review of the nominating process.
Share
