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

Among other things, he persuaded Humphrey to release any delegates bound to him by the unit rule, a gesture that cost him only an estimated 40-50 delegate votes but earned him considerable good will.

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

Thus, under the unit rule, Mississippi committed itself to casting all of its 30 votes for Ford's position.

From Time Magazine Archive

So the result of the convention was to be determined by the adaption or rejection of what was called the unit rule.

From Autobiography of Seventy Years, Vol. 1-2 by Hoar, George Frisbie