unit rule

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of unit rule

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

Sometimes the group-voting is subdivided, for lack of unit rule, or because of the State boss's weakness or through actual differences in individuals' opinions.

From Time Magazine Archive

After setting himself up as a favorite-son candidate, Happy is expected to take to Chicago a delegation instructed to vote for him under the unit rule.

From Time Magazine Archive

Finally, the convention abandoned the unit rule, did about what it was expected to: ten delegates for Taft, two for Eisenhower, two uncommitted.

From Time Magazine Archive

After more prodding by McCarthy, he released delegates bound to him by the unit rule, which in some states binds all delegates to one candidate.

From Time Magazine Archive

The delegations in the Bundesrath vote en masse—that is the "unit rule" prevails.

From Kelly Miller's History of the World War for Human Rights by Miller, Kelly