Results of the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries explained

Results of the Democratic Party presidential primaries
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The results of the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries are the detailed outcomes of a series of contests by which members of the United States Democratic Party chose their candidate for the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The contests are held in each of the fifty U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Democrats Abroad. The Northern Mariana Islands was the lone U.S. state or territory which did not have a primary or caucus election in 2008. The outcomes include totals of delegates selected as well as popular votes.

In order to secure the nomination at the convention, a candidate must receive at least 2,117 votes from delegates (a simple majority of the 4,233 delegate votes, bearing in mind half-votes from Florida, Michigan, Democrats Abroad and the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

At the time of Hillary Clinton's suspending her campaign early on June 7, 2008, the superdelegate count was 246½ for her, and 478 for Barack Obama, with 99 still uncommitted^[1] of the 823½ total then existing.

The breakdown by position for Clinton: 145 DNC, 52½ Representatives, 14 Senators, 17 add-ons, 10½ Governors, and 7½ DPLs.
The breakdown by position for Obama: 229 DNC, 157 Representatives, 34 Senators, 29 add-ons, 20 Governors, and 9 DPLs.
The breakdown for uncommitted voters was: 39 DNC, 22 Representatives, 1½ Senators, 32½ add-ons, 1 Governor, and 3 DPLs.

Dodd and Byrd are considered Senators, the DNC lists them as DPL. Rendell is a Governor, the DNC lists him as a DPL.^[2]

National summary

The following table summarizes the results of the local contests below, thus providing a nationwide overview of the nomination process. The data contained in the row entitled Total bound pledged delegates is a subset of the data in the row entitled Total estimated pledged delegates. The bound delegates row does not include estimated delegates from contests in which the final allocation depends on the outcome of further caucuses or conventions.

Candidates		^[3]	Hillary Clinton	Barack Obama	John Edwards
Grand total estimated delegates	99	-->	bgcolor=white	1,973	bgcolor=#98A9FF	2,306½	4½ <1%
Total estimated superdelegate endorsement^[4]	99^[5]	bgcolor=white	246½	bgcolor=#98A9FF	478	0
	0	-->	bgcolor=white	1,726½	bgcolor=#98A9FF	1,828½	4½ <1%
Total bound pledged delegates^[6]	0	-->	bgcolor=white	1,617½	bgcolor=#98A9FF	1,722½	1½ <1%

Local contests

The following table lists events that determine how many pledged delegates are allocated to each presidential candidate. Most states hold a single event to determine delegate allocation. For example, California's primary on February 5 determined how all 370 of that state's pledged delegates would be apportioned.

Some states, however, hold multiple events to determine delegate allocation. For example, Iowa uses a series of events to award pledged delegates. The precinct caucus held on January 3 provided an estimate of delegates to be awarded at later events, but the estimate changed as a result of the March 15 county conventions. Iowa delegates were not actually allocated to candidates until the district conventions on April 26 (when 29 of 45 delegates were awarded) and the state convention on June 14 (when the remaining 16 were awarded). In states with multiple events, like Iowa, the results for early events show the delegate split as it was projected at that time. The rows for later events show updated projections, and outdated projections are indicated with strikeout. In states with events that apportion some but not all of the state's delegates, both actual and estimated allocations are provided.

This table does not list nomination events that have no effect on the allocation of pledged delegates. For example, it does not list state conventions that determine which persons will fill the role of delegates but not the number of delegates awarded or to whom the delegates are pledged.

Additional notes:

• Except where indicated, data comes from the sources referenced at each state's primary or caucus Wikipedia article, available by clicking on a state's name.
• For past events, a dash (–) indicates that a candidate was not on the ballot.
• The delegate numbers in brackets are estimates. Delegates will be officially allocated during later caucuses, primaries, or conventions.
• These delegations use multiple caucus, primary, or convention processes to choose national delegates on different days. These processes are explained on each state's caucus article.
• To re-sort this table, click on the double-arrow symbol at the top of a column.

Key:

1st place

Withdrew

Event date	Location		Hillary Clinton	Barack Obama	Mike Gravel	John Edwards	Dennis Kucinich	Bill Richardson	Joe Biden	Chris Dodd
January 3	Iowa 0		bgcolor=white	[15 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''16''' ]		[14 ]
January 8	New Hampshire 22	–	9	bgcolor=#98A9FF	13  9		4			bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
January 15	Michigan 128	55	bgcolor=#98A9FF	69  73	bgcolor=white	59      –		–		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8
January 19	Nevada 0		bgcolor=white	[12 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''13''' ]				bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
January 26	South Carolina 45	–	bgcolor=white	12	bgcolor=#98A9FF	33  25		8	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
January 29	Florida 185	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	105	bgcolor=white	67		3	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Alabama 52		bgcolor=white	25	bgcolor=#98A9FF	27	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Alaska 0		bgcolor=white	[4 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''9''' ]	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 5	American Samoa 3	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	2	bgcolor=white	1		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 5	Arizona 56	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	31	bgcolor=white	25		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Arkansas 35		bgcolor=#98A9FF	27	bgcolor=white	8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	California 370	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	204	bgcolor=white	166		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Colorado 0		bgcolor=white	[20 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''35''' ]		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Connecticut 48		bgcolor=white	22	bgcolor=#98A9FF	26		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Delaware 15	–	bgcolor=white	6	bgcolor=#98A9FF	9	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Georgia 87	–	bgcolor=white	27	bgcolor=#98A9FF	60		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Idaho 12		bgcolor=white	2 [3 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	10 ['''15''' ]	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 5	Illinois 153	–	bgcolor=white	49	bgcolor=#98A9FF	104	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Kansas 21	–	bgcolor=white	6 [9 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	15 ['''23''' ]	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 5	Massachusetts 93	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	55	bgcolor=white	38		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Minnesota 72		bgcolor=white	24	bgcolor=#98A9FF	48	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Missouri 72		bgcolor=#98A9FF	36	bgcolor=#98A9FF	36		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	New Jersey 107	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	59	bgcolor=white	48	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 5	New Mexico 26		bgcolor=#98A9FF	14	bgcolor=white	12	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	New York 232	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	139	bgcolor=white	93	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 5	North Dakota 0	–	bgcolor=white	[5 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''8''' ]	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 5	Oklahoma 38	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	24	bgcolor=white	14	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Tennessee 68		bgcolor=#98A9FF	40	bgcolor=white	28		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 5	Utah 23	–	bgcolor=white	9	bgcolor=#98A9FF	14		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 9	Louisiana 56		bgcolor=white	23	bgcolor=#98A9FF	33	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 9	Nebraska 16		bgcolor=white	5 [8 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	11 ['''16''' ]	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 9	U.S. Virgin Islands 3		bgcolor=white		bgcolor=#98A9FF	3	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 9	Washington 0		bgcolor=white	[26 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''52''' ]	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 10	Maine 0		bgcolor=white	[9 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''15''' ]	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
	Democrats Abroad 7		bgcolor=white	2½	bgcolor=#98A9FF	4½	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 12	District of Columbia 15		bgcolor=white	2  3	bgcolor=#98A9FF	13  12	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 12	Maryland 70		bgcolor=white	27  28	bgcolor=#98A9FF	43  42		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
February 12	Virginia 83	–	bgcolor=white	29	bgcolor=#98A9FF	54	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 19	Hawaii 20		bgcolor=white	6	bgcolor=#98A9FF	14	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
February 19	Wisconsin 74		bgcolor=white	32	bgcolor=#98A9FF	42		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
March 4	Ohio 141	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	74	bgcolor=white	67	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
March 4	Rhode Island 21		bgcolor=#98A9FF	13	bgcolor=white	8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
March 4	Texas 126	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	65	bgcolor=white	61	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
March 4	Texas 0		bgcolor=white	[29 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''38''' ]	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
March 4	Vermont 15	–	bgcolor=white	6 39%	bgcolor=#98A9FF	9 59%	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
March 8	Wyoming 7		bgcolor=white	3 [5 ] 38%	bgcolor=#98A9FF	4 ['''7''' ] 61%	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
March 11	Mississippi 33		bgcolor=white	13 37%	bgcolor=#98A9FF	20 61%		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8
	North Dakota 0	–	–	–	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
March 15	Iowa 0	–	[14 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''25''' ]	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	[''6'' ]	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
	Colorado 0	–	[19 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''36''' ]	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
March 29	Texas 0	–	[30 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''37''' ]	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
	North Dakota 13	–	bgcolor=white	5	bgcolor=#98A9FF	8	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
^[7]	Nevada 0	–	bgcolor=white	[12 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	['''13''' ]	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
April 22	Pennsylvania 158	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	85	73	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
	Washington 0	–	–	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
April 26	Iowa 29	–	9 [14 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	20  16  ['''28''' ] ['''24''' ]	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	4  [''3'' ] [''7'' ]	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 3	Guam 4	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	2	bgcolor=#98A9FF	2	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 6	Indiana 72	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	38	34	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 6	North Carolina 115		48	bgcolor=#98A9FF	67	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 13	West Virginia 28	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	20	8	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
	Colorado 36	–	bgcolor=white	13	bgcolor=#98A9FF	23	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 17	Colorado 19	–	bgcolor=white	6	bgcolor=#98A9FF	13	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 17	Kansas 11	–	–	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 17	Nevada 25	–	bgcolor=white	11	bgcolor=#98A9FF	14	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 17	Washington 51	–	bgcolor=white	17 [26 ]	bgcolor=#98A9FF	34 ['''52''' ]	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 20	Kentucky 51		bgcolor=#98A9FF	37	14	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8		bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 20	Oregon 52	-	21 41%	bgcolor=#98A9FF	31	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 24	Alaska 13	–	3	bgcolor=#98A9FF	10	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 24	Wyoming 5	–	2	bgcolor=#98A9FF	3	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
May 31	Maine 24	–	bgcolor=white	9	bgcolor=#98A9FF	15	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
June 1	Puerto Rico 55	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	38	17	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
June 3	Montana 16		7	bgcolor=#98A9FF	9	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
June 3	South Dakota 15	–	bgcolor=#98A9FF	9	6	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
	Texas 67	–	29	bgcolor=#98A9FF	38	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
	Nebraska 0	–	–	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
	Idaho 6	–	–	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
June 14	Iowa 16	–	–	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
	Washington 27	–	–	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
	Puerto Rico 0	–	–	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–
	Nebraska 8	–	–	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–	bgcolor=#FFE8E8	–

Popular vote

This section reports popular vote data for the two leading candidates, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Officially, the popular vote does not matter in the Democratic presidential nomination. However, political experts sometimes look to the popular vote as an indicator of candidate support and momentum. News media frequently report the popular vote on election night, declaring states "won" on this basis. Superdelegates may also consider the popular vote when making their decision about whom to support. Nevertheless, the popular vote count presents many problems and should be interpreted carefully.

After winning West Virginia, the Clinton campaign claimed a lead in the popular vote. However, the math behind this claim relied upon a number of points that were disputed by neutral political observers and by the Obama campaign.^{[8] [9]} Most problematically, the Clinton campaign count gave Clinton 328,309 votes and Obama 0 votes in the disputed Michigan primary as Obama had withdrawn his name from the ballot.

Problems with popular vote metrics

Caucus states

The popular vote is easiest to tally in primary elections, where a simple vote for a candidate is recorded. In caucuses, the "popular vote" is often interpreted as the number of supporters who vote for each candidate at the conclusion of precinct-level caucuses. The table uses the official "popular vote" reported in all primary states and in the caucus states of Alaska, American Samoa, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Hawaii, Wyoming, and Guam. Official numbers were not reported in the caucus states of Iowa, Nevada, Washington, and Maine. These four states have been estimated by RealClearPolitics based on other information released by the states. In Texas, two-thirds of pledged delegates were selected through a primary, while one-third were selected through caucuses. However, voters were eligible to participate in the caucuses only if they also voted in the primary, so RealClearPolitics used the primary results and ignored the caucus in determining the popular vote.

Nationwide, the RealClearPolitics tally counted one caucus participant as equal to one primary participant. However, turnout is generally lower in caucuses, and as a result, the popular vote may overweight the influence of primary states.^[10] For example, Hawaii and Rhode Island have similar populations, but the opinion of Rhode Islanders is weighted more heavily in the popular vote total. Clinton won the Rhode Island primary 58-40% and received 33,600 more votes than Obama. In contrast, Obama won the Hawaii caucuses 76-24%, but received only 19,500 more votes than Clinton. Thus, some researchers argue that the popular vote underestimates the depth of Obama's support in caucus states.^[11] If these states were to hold primaries and Obama were to win by a similar margin, his popular vote total would be considerably higher.^[11] However, Clinton argued that she would have done better in these states if primaries were held.^[12]

Florida and Michigan

Florida and Michigan were penalized by the Democratic party, and under the rules as they existed at the time of the elections, the delegates were not to be seated at the Democratic Convention. Toward the end of the primary season, on May 31, the Democratic National Committee restored "half votes" to the disputed primaries, as well as accepting a reapportionment of Michigan delegates proposed by the state party.

In Florida, where both candidates pledged not to campaign, Clinton beat Obama 50-33% in the disputed primary. In Michigan, where Obama and other candidates removed their name from the ballot, Clinton won against "Uncommitted" 55-40%. Exit poll respondents said that if all candidates had been on the ballot, they would have voted 46% Clinton, 35% Obama, 12% Edwards, 3% other.^[13] These results do not record the preferences of voters who chose to stay home, believing that their votes would not count.

The Clinton campaign argued that popular vote totals should include Florida and Michigan and that Obama should receive 0 votes in Michigan. Obama's supporters, and some neutral observers, countered that his standing would have improved in these states if the race had been contested normally and that most or all of the "uncommitted" votes in Michigan should be counted as votes for him.^[14] Obama argued that the nullified primaries do not represent a true test of popular support, noting that primaries where the candidates are not allowed to campaign amount to little more than a "referendum on name recognition".^[15]

Nomination rules

Finally, the nomination was decided by delegates under the Democratic Party's rules, so the candidates campaigned to maximize their delegate advantage. If the nomination were decided by popular vote, they likely would have campaigned differently, in order to run up the vote in populous states like New York and Illinois. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that the popular vote should have no effect under the current rules: "It’s a delegate race. The way the system works is that the delegates choose the nominee."^[16] Obama's chief strategist suggested that the Clinton campaign's focus on the popular vote was a distraction tactic: "When they started off, it was all about delegates.... Now that we have more delegates, it’s all about the popular vote. And if that does not work out, they will probably challenge us to a game of cribbage to choose the nominee."^[16] Nevertheless, polls have shown that a plurality of Democrats think superdelegates should consider the popular vote when deciding which candidate to support.^[17]

Popular vote table

The table below presents various combinations of the "popular vote," accounting for some, but not all, of the problems noted above. The source for the popular vote totals in each state is RealClearPolitics,^[18] which aggregates data from official state results and news sources. Not all combinations are reported, only those most commonly cited as popular vote estimates. For example, the table does not reflect exit poll findings on how many voters would have voted for Obama had Obama's name been on the Michigan ballot, since there are many ways to generate this estimate.

Popular vote (through June 4, 2008)
Metrics				Vote estimate
Include caucus estimates (IA, NV, WA, ME)^[19]	Include Florida	Include Michigan	Michigan "uncommitted" allotted to Obama	Clinton	Obama
yes	yes	yes	all	18,045,829	18,107,587
yes	yes	yes	none	18,045,829	17,869,419
yes	yes	no	-	17,717,520	17,869,419
yes	no	no	-	16,846,534	17,293,205
no	yes	yes	all	17,821,967	17,773,503
no	yes	yes	none	17,821,967	17,535,335
no	yes	no	-	17,493,658	17,535,335
no	no	no	-	16,622,672	16,959,121

Graphical representations

In all graphs below, purple represents Obama, green represents Clinton, and orange represents Edwards. Yellow represents a tie.

See also

• Nationwide opinion polling for the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries
• Statewide opinion polling for the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries
• Results of the 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Silent Superdelegates . 2008 Democratic Convention Watch . 2008-06-06 . 2008-06-07.
2. Web site: Superdelegates by Position . 2008 Democratic Convention Watch . 2008-06-07 . 2008-06-08.
3. Except where noted otherwise, this column displays the number of delegates who have voted as uncommitted, not the number of potential delegates that have yet to be selected in future primaries or caucuses.
4. Web site: 2008 Democratic Convention Watch. 20 March 2008 ., DCW estimates.
5. Web site: Superdelegate endorsements for Friday 6/6 . 2008 Democratic Convention Watch . 2008-06-06 . 2008-06-08.
6. Sum of bound delegates in each contest in the table.
7. All of Nevada's county conventions took place on February 23, but one county's convention (Clark County) had attendance that overwhelmed its ability to continue. That convention was therefore recessed to April 12.
8. News: Zeleny . Jeff . Patrick Healy . Obama Expected to Hit Milestone in Tuesday's Vote . . 2008-05-20 . 2008-05-20.
9. News: Political Ticker . CNN . Clinton campaign: We're ahead in the popular vote . https://web.archive.org/web/20080517165832/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/14/clinton-campaign-were-ahead-in-the-popular-vote/ . dead . May 17, 2008 . 2008-05-14 . 2008-05-20.
10. News: Beam . Christopher . Clinton's New Favorite Metric . . 2008-04-23 . 2008-04-23.
11. Web site: New Study Shows Obama Would Have Won Primaries in Caucus States . DemocraticCourage.com . 2008-04-23 . dead . https://archive.today/20130121200000/http://www.dcourage.com/a/2008/04/new_study_shows_obama_would_ha.php . 2013-01-21 . See also Glenn Horowitz and Gregory P. Nini, "How Would Primaries Have Changed the Results in Caucus States?", manuscript, 2008-04-8.
12. News: Hamby . Peter . Clinton dismisses weekend losses . 2008-02-11 . CNN . 2008-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080213025702/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/11/clinton-dismisses-weekend-losses/. dead. February 13, 2008.
13. News: Exit poll for Democratic Results . CBS News . 2008-05-27.
14. News: Alter . Jonathan . Popular Vote Poison . Newsweek.
15. News: Smith . Adam . Obama suggests halving Florida delegation . https://archive.today/20120911010123/http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article518651.ece . dead . September 11, 2012 . St. Petersburg Times . 2008-05-22 . 2008-05-27.
16. News: Simon . Roger . Obama camp: HRC is taking the low road . 2008-03-17 . . 2008-04-23.
17. News: Washington Post-ABC Poll . . 2008-05-07 . 2008-05-07 . This . -Abc.
18. Web site: 2008 Democratic Popular Vote. RealClearPolitics.
19. The official popular vote numbers reported in all primary contests and in the caucus contests of Alaska, American Samoa, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Hawaii, Wyoming, and Guam are included in all rows of this table. However, the official popular vote was not reported in IA, NV, WA, ME, and so RealClearPolitics estimated the popular vote in these states based on other figures. This column provides two options: Include those four states or don't include those four states. All other contests are always included.