By ,
Published July 27, 2016
Democrats have only one major task to accomplish at their convention this week -- formally nominate a candidate for president. But that effort could go sideways Tuesday if Sen. Bernie Sanders’ supporters disrupt the delegate voting for presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton.
The so-called delegate roll call vote this year is about three things: nominating Clinton, trying to forge unity within the party and the potential opportunity for Sanders’ loyalists to make mischief and disrupt.
Sanders' supporters could make the most of the opportunity, including perhaps staging a protest vote on the floor, which would test the parliamentary mettle of Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who are presiding over the proceedings.
Consider the criticism leveled at the GOP by anti-Donald Trump forces when they saw Arkansas Rep. Steve Womack plow through their efforts to conduct a roll call vote on the convention’s rules package.
At the very least, Sanders' backers could yell and make a lot of noise and try not to formally move any measure from the convention floor.
The roll call goes by states, in alphabetical order, with no indication that leaders will rearrange the order so New York, Clinton’s home state, can cast the deciding votes. Republicans did that for Trump at their nominating convention last week in Cleveland, giving New York the deciding votes then.
If Democrats go in order Tuesday, with no delegations taking passes, South Dakota was expected to get Clinton close, with Tennessee conceivably vaulting her over the top.
Fox News’ Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/will-sanders-backers-play-by-the-rules-during-clinton-nomination