In response to Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter winning his party’s presidential nomination in 1976, the Democratic National Committee created so-called “super delegates” in 1982 to restore some of the power over the nomination process to party insiders.

According to the DNC, unpledged delegates are “a diverse group of individuals, including grassroots activists, county party chairs, local elected officials and others.” Free to vote for any candidate, their role at the national convention is, the DNC says, “to exercise their best judgment in the interests of the nation and the Democratic Party.”

The 796 unpledged delegates represent about 20 percent of the 4,049 delegates expected to participate in the August national convention.

Source: Democratic National Committee