2 chapters across the catalog
The Republican Party's "Rule 40" and state-level "sore loser laws" are examined as potential hurdles for candidates in a contested convention. Rule 40, implemented in 2012 to block Ron Paul, requires a candidate to win a majority of delegates in at least eight states to be nominated. Sore loser laws in 46 states prevent candidates who lose a primary from appearing on the general election ballot as an independent, complicating any potential third-party runs.
Republican Party insiders are discussing the use of arcane convention rules to deny Donald Trump the nomination even if he holds a plurality of delegates. Party officials have stated publicly that political parties, rather than the general public, ultimately choose their nominees through a representative process. This stance has led to accusations that the primary system is a marketing facade rather than a purely democratic selection.
