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How the Republican primary in Pennsylvania works
The Logistics
There are three types of states to nominate a Republican presidential candidate:
Winner take all states
Proportional states
Open states
In the first two, the delegates to the party convention (when the nomination actually happens) are bound to a particular candidate, depending on the popular vote of that state.
For example, if Ron Paul wins 51% of the vote in a winner take all state then he gets 100% of the delegates of that state.
In a proportional state he would get 51% of that state's delegates.
Why Your Vote Doesn’t Count
PA doesn't work that way. When you vote in the primary you vote your PREFERENCE for the candidate, but you are ACTUALLY voting for a delegate who will vote their own way. If McCain wins 51% of the vote a delegate can vote for Paul or Huckabee instead of McCain. Your vote doesn't count; the delegate decides for you. You know your delegates, right? Of course not, but the delegates are voted into (a very brief) office in the primary--make sure you know who you are voting for!
My position is I will vote as my congressional district votes, even if it is against the candidate I would prefer. I don't think it is very democratic that your vote could be invalidated by someone you didn't even know existed.
Assuming the first ballot does not pick the Republican candidate (unlikely with the McCain momentum) then all those winner take all and proportional delegates are free to vote as they see fit (there are more flaky rules around freeing them, but that is the jist).
How Much Do Delegates Get Paid?
Here’s the funny part. It costs ME to be a delegate! Pretty smart to want the job, huh?
There are two expenses:
1) campaign and,
2) convention.
I have a small campaign that includes flyers, signs, website, etc. None of this will break my bank, but it does add up fast. Right now, this is all being paid for by me but I hope some will be paid for by contributions from people like you. Yes, that is a not-so-subtle hint to click on the, “Contact Us” page. C’mon, have you ever seen a politician that doesn’t have their hand out?
In addition to the campaign costs I have to pay my way to the convention, which includes airfare and hotel plus other travel expenses. The travel costs I will pay myself since I am getting a direct benefit and don’t think you should pay for my trips (oh, if only Congress followed such leadership). I would like help to defray only the campaign costs.
 
www.JimMcHale.org