When does a presumptive nominee become a nominee? Here's how Donald Trump will make it official
Nearly 2,500 delegates gather in Milwaukee this week for a roll call vote to select the Republican presidential nominee, formally ending the presidential primary
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 2,500 delegates are gathering in Milwaukee this week for a roll call vote to select the Republican presidential nominee, formally ending the presidential primary.
It will be a moment lacking in suspense: Former President Donald Trump has already been the presumptive nominee for months, having clinched a majority of convention delegates on March 12, but he doesn't officially become the party's standard-bearer until after the roll call, when delegates vote on the nominee.
A vast majority of those delegates are already bound to support Trump, who only needs a majority to win the Republican nomination. However, due to state party rules, at least a handful are still slated to go to former candidate Nikki Haley, even after she released her delegates.
While Democratic delegates are technically allowed to stray from their pledged candidate to vote their conscience, Republican delegates remain bound to their assigned candidate no matter their personal views. That means that the party rules almost guarantee that Trump will officially become the nominee this week.
