Florida delegates, explained

Unlike in most years, the delegates to the national conventions may play a bigger role in the presidential nominations in 2016. So PolitiFact National took a look at the nuts and bolts of the process.

Here’s how it’ll unfold in the Sunshine State.

Florida will send 99 delegates to the Republican convention and 246 to the Democratic gathering in July. Beyond the three party leader delegates on the GOP side and 32 superdelegates on the Democratic side, voters, candidates and the party all have a say in who will represent the state.

Following the March primary, Republican presidential candidates submitted lists of supporters to be considered for delegate slots. Aspiring GOP delegates can also file a form with the state party.

Between March 22 and June 3, Republicans in each of Florida’s 27 congressional districts will caucus to choose three delegates a piece.

Tampa Bay’s 12th, 13th and 14th district elections all take place April 16 in Clearwater. Miami-Dade’s 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th district elections all take place April 16 in Hialeah. Broward's 20th, 21st, and 22nd district elections take place April 9 in Boca Raton.

The state’s executive board will meet to elect the 10 at-large delegates.

All of the 99 delegates will be bound to Donald Trump, victor in the winner-take-all primary, through the third ballot.

Aspiring Democratic delegates, meanwhile, must file with the state party before April 7. A month later, Democrats will caucus in all the congressional districts to elect district-level delegates. These delegates then elect the other members of their slate at the state convention in late May.

Based on the results of the primary, 141 delegates are pledged to Clinton compared with 73 for Sanders. So far Clinton has earned the backing of 23 superdelegates while just two, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson and DNC Committeewoman Nancy Jacobson, are pledged to Sanders. Seven superdelegates remain uncommitted.