Delegate
- For the computer science term, see delegation (programming).
A delegate is an individual (or a member of a group called a delegation) who represents the interests of a larger organization (e.g. a government, a charity, an NGO, or a trade union) at a meeting of some kind (e.g. trade talks, an environmental summit, aid negotiations, or an industrial dispute).
In order to avoid the principal-agent problem, it is generally important to the organization to take steps to ensure that the delegate or delegation does not have a conflict of interest. Failure to do so may reduce the chances of the organization's viewpoint being represented as well as possible.
Delegates from the major political parties are involved in the selection of candidates for President of the United States. Some of the officials involved in the process are called superdelegates.
Delegate is also a title given to individuals elected to the lower legislative bodies of the states of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia (see House of Delegates).
Delegate is also the title of a person elected to the United States House of Representatives to serve the interests of a organized United States territory. Delegates have powers similar to that of Representatives, including the right to vote in committee, but have no right to take part in floor votes. See: Delegate (United States Congress).