by J.W. Mammenga

Created on: March 01, 2008   Last Updated: March 19, 2008

As I follow the Democratic race for the Presidential nomination, I find myself enamored by the idea of "Super-delegates." If you like countless other Americans, including myself until recently do not know what a super-delegate is, here is a basic run-down. The actual term is "unpledged party leader and elected official delegates." Basically, this means that at the nomination convention, these individuals get a seat for a vote toward any nominee of their choosing. They are free to vote how they wish, regardless of the will of the people.

Being a young voter only voting in one Presidential election I found myself ignorant to the super-delegate premise the first time around. Since my first election, I have graduated with a degree in Political Science, and have therefore found a passion for the democratic process. I have launched myself into the process. In doing so, I have found myself questioning the process, a process that includes this super-delegate ideal.

My concern comes with the voting process. Throughout my life I have been inundated with the idea of voter apathy. People just are not voting. This election seems to be an anomaly, however. Voters are coming out in droves and voicing their opinions through the polls. As the election goes on, however, it is clear that no one candidate is going to get the 2,024 delegates needed to win the nomination before the convention gets here. Thus, the super-delegate is going to play an extremely large part in the nomination from the Democratic Party.

Doesn't this seem to undermine the voting process? Citizens coming out in swarms will be silenced by the will of "unpledged party leaders and elect official delegates." This whole idea seems counter-productive. It is driven into our minds to go out and vote and voice our opinions; however, the candidate that wins the popular vote may not win the nomination. Sound familiar?

This is an issue that needs to be addressed. If we as a nation are going to push for avid voting among the constituency, it is imperative that we as a nation work to make these votes matter. People need to know that when they take an active part in the American experiment in government that it actually makes a difference. We as a nation need to ensure that the will of the people be heard and upheld. If not, we are doomed to more decline and more apathy. Let's go back to what this country was founded on that which was the will of the Founders the will of the people.

Learn more about this author, J.W. Mammenga.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.