Pennsylvania's 'Unbound' Delegates: Who Do They Support?

Tuesday is the Presidential primary in Pennsylvania.

Republican and Democratic voters will head to the polls in support of their preferred candidate.

In the Republican contest, there are 71 delegates at stake. But not all of those delegates are determined by the popular vote. There are 54 "unbound" delegates. These delegates can vote for whoever they choose.

Currently, Trump leads the overall delegate count with 849, trailed by Cruz with 559 and Kasich with 148. Trump needs 392 of the remaining 733 delegates to secure the nomination.

Due to this unique unbound delegate loophole, however, a candidate can win a majority of the popular vote and only receive a small portion of the available delegates. For example, Trump could win a little as 17 or as many as 71 delegates.

For Trump, a convincing victory could be invaluable in getting those 54 unbound delegates to sway his way, according to Susan Liebell, Associate Professor of Political Science at St. Joseph’s University. Kasich, meanwhile, is banking on these delegates to ensure a contested convention and a second ballot, on which he thinks he has a better shot.

The Morning Call has published a recent analysis of unbound delegate candidates and who they support. The analysis is broken down by district. Click here to view the Morning Call's report and see who unbound delegates in your district support before you cast your ballot for them.

Some have expressed frustration that the Pennsylvania layout undermines democracy, but experts say that for a Republican Party focused on November, these rules are logical.

“Pennsylvania has rules that make terrific sense for Party Republicans who want to win elections,” said Liebell. “Republicans -- as a party -- should aim to elect the person who can win for their party in November. In Pennsylvania, the Republicans are asking their party members to elect a delegate who can look at all the evidence and decide who will win. PA's system will make PA an important player at the convention.”

It also makes the Pennsylvania primary even more important than it is at first glance, because even moderate gains by Cruz or Kasich could potentially lure more delegates their way.

“If the ‘not Trump’ forces gain ground, those delegates are available, and Trump could (still) win big but lose those delegates on the convention floor, ending his chances for avoiding a contested convention,” Liebell added.