Newt Gingrich has been talking up his chances at the convention. But it turns out that he would need to win at least five states to be eligible to be nominated in the first round of voting at the convention, reports ABC News, something that could complicate his convention strategy significantly:
A Republican Party rule specifies that a candidate must win “plurality” support from five states to be nominated in Tampa, Fla.:
“Each candidate for nomination for President of the United States and Vice President of the United States shall demonstrate the support of a plurality of the delegates from each of five (5) or more states, severally, prior to the presentation of the name of that candidate for nomination.”
Procedures will be in place before the convention for candidates to demonstrate support from five states, an RNC official confirmed. So, although it seems counterintuitive, this measure will be taken before voting begins.
If Gingrich fails to meet the five-state threshold, he won’t be eligible for the nomination when the convention begins. No delegate will be able to nominate him for the nomination, technically, on the convention floor.