Minnesota elections: What happens to delegates won by the candidates who lost?

With less than nine months until the November election, we all but have the two major party candidates: President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

To secure the nomination and officially be named their party's candidate, each need to earn a certain number of delegates that are awarded in state primaries and vote for them at their respective state party conventions this summer.

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But what happens to Minnesota's delegates that were won by candidates who have no path to victory? How does this process work?

Here's what you need to know:

Who won the most delegates in Minnesota's primaries?

Trump won nearly 70% of the vote on Super Tuesday and earned 29 bound delegates for the Republican National Convention.

Then-top competitor and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley received 28% of the vote and was able to snag 12 delegates. Since her losses on March 5, she has dropped out of the race.

Biden won over 70% of the Minnesota Democratic vote and has 64 pledged delegates for the Democratic National Convention.

Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips wasn't able to garner any delegates in his home state. However, an organized campaign to vote uncommitted as a protest against Biden and his support of the Israel-Hamas war gained 11 delegates and almost 20% of the vote.

More: 'Uncommitted' voters in Minnesota show up in shocking numbers

What happens to delegates for dropped-out candidates?

The 12 delegates Haley secured are still hers despite her not being in the race. Pledged delegates at the RNC are only bound to vote for the candidate based on their state's results for the first ballot.

The uncommitted delegates at the DNC are allowed to vote for anyone they choose.

More: What are presidential delegates and how does the process work?

How are delegates picked?

Minnesota delegates that will be sent to their party's respective national conventions are chosen at the congressional district level and state party level.

More: Minnesota elections: Who's running in 2024? Here's who you need to know

When are the party conventions?

The Minnesota GOP state convention is May 17 and 18 in St. Paul. The Republican National Convention will be held in Milwaukee. from July 15 to July 18.

The Minnesota DFL state convention is May 31 to June 2 in Duluth. The Democratic National Convention will take place on Aug. 19 to Aug. 22 in Chicago, Illin.

— Sam Woodward is the Minnesota elections reporting fellow for USA Today. You can reach her at swoodward@gannett.com, on X @woodyreports, or on Threads @samjowoody.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minnesota elections: What to know about convention delegates