superdelegates likely impact democratic primary process much influence remain seen.as nate silver fivethirtyeight write superdelegates democratic insiders hold vote power apart ordinary delegates.silver explain superdelegates create part give democratic party elites opportunity put finger scale prevent nominations like george mcgovern 1972 jimmy carter 1976 displease party insiders silver agree many progressive voters say superdelegate system profoundly unfair also note amount influence superdelegates outcome primary race depend largely close race is.there approximately 712 superdelegates delegate equal one-sixth 4,763 delegate determine outcome primary order win party nomination candidate need secure least 2,382 delegates.according silver superdelegates mathematically relevant candidate 41.2 percent 58.8 percent elect delegate range candidate win first-ballot majority even vote every superdelegate range superdelegates help necessary clinch nomination clarify follow chart publish fivethirtyeight february 12.the chart show percentage superdelegate vote candidate would need win primary correlation percentage regular delegate award base outcomes state primary elections.image credit screen capture nate silver fivethirtyeight.comas chart illustrate close race impact superdelegates outcome.currently hillary clinton hold tremendous lead bernie sanders among pledge superdelegates clinton support 362 superdelegates sanders capture support eight superdelegates thus far.but silver also point superdelegates free change vote time race note often unlike elect delegate superdelegates unbind candidate even first ballot switch whenever like probably switch sanders extend win streak diverse state eventually appear mandate clinton among democratic voters additionally silver state highly unlikely superdelegates would back candidate lose popular vote significant margin since would likely alienate half party base.so moment may appear party insiders attempt override popular vote likely superdelegates ignore deny voters favor sanders significant margin.silver point 2008 example fast things change clinton large superdelegate lead then-senator barack obama early 2008 democratic primary well election wear several dozen superdelegates change original vote clinton obama time uncommitted superdelegates come support candidacy.so superdelegates definitely power influence outcome election especially case close race important keep mind voters also power influence decisions superdelegates.view state-by-state list democratic superdelegates image credit hillary clinton photo marc nozell via wikimedia commons bernie sanders photo gage skidmore via flckr.com much impact superdelegates democratic primary