As many as 2,472 delegates will attend the Republican national convention in July, and they could be the movers and shakers that determine the GOP presidential nominee.
The first ballot is based on votes in the delegates' individual states. Most are required to vote for whom they are pledged.
But if no candidate walks into the convention with the majority of the delegate, there will be more rounds of voting and most delegates can vote for whomever they wish.
Donald Trump told CNN Wednesday he thinks "bad things would happen" if he walks into the convention with the most delegates, but doesn't get the nomination.
A
Washington Post analysis Thursday, illustrated the uncertainties tied to the delegates at the convention.
"You don't get the nomination if you're close. There are no points in close. You have to get 1,237," said Republican National Committee member Stephen Duprey.
Trump needs 57 percent of the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination, according to a
Wall Street Journal report. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz needs 83 percent and there aren't enough delegates for Ohio Gov. John Kasich to win outright.
The presidential candidates have little input into their delegates after primary or caucus results come in. Every state has a different way to choose them.
"Seventy-three percent of delegates are selected by state party executive committees or at state and local conventions, not by the presidential candidates," said GOP campaign lawyer Ben Ginsberg.
"The campaigns have to be sure their people and people who are loyal to them are elected as delegates. That is a complicated process."
For example, in Virginia, 17 delegate votes will go to Trump, eight to Cruz and five to Kasich, but 16 will go to Marco Rubio and three to Ben Carson, even though both of them have dropped out of the race.
In South Carolina, national delegates must have been delegates in the state last spring — before Trump entered the race.
Virginia State Chairman John Whitbeck and officials in other states said Cruz's campaign is doing the most to engage the local delegates.
Cruz's campaign manager, Jeff Roe, says it's "a laborious process. We make sure that we have slates of people that are supporting Ted Cruz."
It's easier for nominees in other states like New Hampshire, where candidates offer slates of delegates.
Trump's campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, is a New Hampshire delegate.
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