The pathway to the Republican presidential nomination from here on out leaves little time to collect one’s breath.
Less than 12 hours after the dust has settled on Super Tuesday I, and the GOP candidates are already working on the next grouping of contests this weekend. On Saturday, voters in Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Maine will vote, while on Sunday, voters will cast their ballots in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
In all, 182 delegates will be up for grabs.
Kansas Caucus (45 delegates)
The Sunflower State has a closed caucus in which only registered Republicans may participate. Delegates are allocated proportionately at the district and statewide levels with the three Republican National Committee officers (state chair, national committeeman, and national committeewoman) allocated to the statewide winner.
Kentucky Caucus (45 delegates)
The Bluegrass State also has a closed caucus in which only registered Republicans may take part. Delegates are allocated proportionately based on the statewide results with a 5 percent minimum threshold.
Louisiana Primary (46 delegates)
The Pelican State is the first to potentially provide “uncommitted” delegates, based on the way delegates are allocated. The primary is closed, meaning only Republicans are allowed to vote. District delegates are awarded proportionally to the popular vote in each district, but statewide delegates are awarded proportionally with a 20 percent minimum threshold. Unlike other states where the proportionality is based on the total votes of the qualified candidates, however, in Louisiana, it’s based on the total vote, which could result in a couple of uncommitted delegates.
Maine Caucus (23 delegates)
The Pine Tree State also offers a closed caucus in which only registered Republicans are allowed to participate. But, it is a winner-take-most state whereby delegates are awarded in the following fashion:
• If one candidate receives a majority of the votes, he will win all of the delegates;
• Otherwise, delegates are allocated proportionally to all candidates who receive at least 10 percent of the vote.
Unlike other states, Maine delegates become “unbound” or uncommitted if the candidate they are assigned to withdraws or dies before the convention.
Puerto Rico Primary (23 delegates)
While Puerto Ricans are prohibited from voting for president, the Republican Party has awarded the Isle of Enchantment delegates at its national convention. The open primary means Democrats and Independents may also participate if they have not participated in the Democrat Primary. Delegates are allocated on a winner-take-most basis:
• If one candidate receives a majority of the votes, he will win all of the delegates;
• Otherwise, delegates are allocated proportionally to all candidates who receive at least 20 percent of the vote.
