MADISON, Wis. — As next summer’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee approaches, Wisconsinites are already asking how to become one of the state’s 41 delegates.

What You Need To Know

  • The 2024 Republican National Convention will be in Milwaukee July 15-18

  • Wisconsin gets 41 delegates: 24 represent specific districts, 17 represent the entire state

  • The delegate role isn't for newcomers. Still, they've already had tons of interest

“It’s a little bit complicated and convoluted,” said Mark Jefferson, executive director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

He’s been involved in coordinating delegates for years, and he’s the first to admit that it can be a confusing process.

“In Wisconsin, delegates are chosen both at the district level and at the statewide level,” he said.

Wisconsin gets 41 delegates at the RNC. Twenty-four of those delegates represent specific districts. The remaining 17 represent the entire state. The statewide delegates are often Republican figureheads, like former governors.

Here in the Badger State, all delegates are bound. That means they must cast their vote for the Republican candidate who won in the area they represent. They are not bound in any other races. That means the district delegates must vote for the presidential candidate who won their district, and the statewide delegates must vote for the presidential candidate who won the state of Wisconsin.

People who would like to be delegates will start throwing their hats in the ring.

“Around the first of the year, they have to turn in applications and submit those to either district leaders or state party leaders,” Jefferson said.

All delegate selection happens after the presidential primary. That way, organizers know who won districts and the state as a whole, and that campaign is involved in the decision making.

“The campaign that wins that congressional district has a little bit of a say as well as to who those people are,” Jefferson said. “They’ll look over a prospective list of delegates after the primary has come through town. And they’ll say ‘we like these individuals, we hope you’ll consider them.’ But they have to stand for election at the district caucus.”

The delegate positions are not for newcomers.

“It’s difficult for someone who has never participated in the process to walk in and then get one of the top positions and most sought after spots in the party,” Jefferson said. “It’s a very competitive process. There are always more people who want to be delegates than can actually be chosen.”

However, they try to accommodate as many guests at the convention as they can. Plus, they’ll need lots of volunteers to make the event go smoothly.

The 2024 RNC will be in Milwaukee July 15-18.

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