Definition
The political representatives sent to conventions, conferences, or legislative bodies to vote on behalf of their constituents—or more accurately, to engage in complex parliamentary theater while networking at hotel bars. In party conventions, these are the people who cast the official votes that everyone already knows the outcome of thanks to primaries. They're essentially democracy's middle management, important for legitimacy but rarely empowered to make surprising decisions.
Example Usage
The delegates at the national convention dutifully cast their ballots for the predetermined nominee while the media pretended suspense was still possible.
Source: Political terminology
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See “delegates” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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