unit rule

noun

1. (in national conventions of the Democratic Party) a rule whereby a state's delegation votes as a unit, not recognizing minority votes within the delegation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of unit rule¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

Answer: If your wife’s medical condition qualifies as a disability and she needs the window unit because of this disability, you may be able to request an exception from the window unit rule as a reasonable accommodation.

From Los Angeles Times

But the Democratic National Convention rules committee decided against applying the two-thirds rule that year, opting for the unit rule instead—meaning that whichever candidate won a simple majority at the convention would receive 100% of the delegates’ support—and thus creating an opening for a challenger, and president Van Buren lost to pro-annexation candidate James Polk.

From Time

During this period, the Republicans mostly used the two-thirds rule, but another option was available: the unit rule.

From Time

Had the unit rule been applied during that convention, Grant most likely would have been nominated, and would have faced off against Winfield Scott Hancock in the general election.

From Time

He imposed a unit rule, mandating that the candidate who got a majority of the delegation would get all the state's delegates.

From US News