Read our overview of primaries, caucuses, delegates, and superdelegates

II. Methodology

Delegate tallies in the 2008 presidential election vary across major media because some news organizations including CNN, MSNBC, and Associated Press make projections of delegate totals which vary based on each organization's methodology. For instance, some news media project delegate counts based on popular vote percentages although the delegates may have not been formally allocated nor the election results finalized. Other news organizations such as the New York Times represent the total number of pledged delegates based on actual pledges. To maintain accuracy and avoid projections, ProCon.org has opted to utilize the New York Times' delegate numbers unless otherwise noted.

Superdelegates(aka unpledged delegates) are not required to pledge to a particular candidate until the Democratic convention in Aug. 2008. Both the AP and the New York Times have polled the superdelegates and have come up with different estimates for how these delegates will vote. ProCon.org has opted to use the AP's unpledged delegate numbers because the AP contacts superdelegates more frequently than the New York Times.

3rd parties were included based on their 2004 presidential election ballot access. The Constitution, Green, Libertarian, and Reform parties had candidates on the ballot in enough states for their candidates to have a chance of winning the 270 electoral votes needed to be elected President. Although these 3rd parties hold primaries and caucuses in some states (usually depending on state electoral guidelines, party strength in that state, and other party-specific considerations), their presidential nominees are typically determined at each party's respective national convention. 3rd party primary information presented here is based on telephone calls with, and websites of, each participating 3rd party unless otherwise noted. Each chart below containing 3rd Party candidate information lists the three candidates within each party who received the highest number of votes in that state. Independent candidates do not have primaries and caucuses.