This chart shows the type of delegates each state and territory will be sending to the Democratic and Republican conventions later this year.

PLEDGED DELEGATES: These delegates must vote for specific presidential candidates for at least one ballot. How they are awarded differs by party, but they are usually "bound" by the results of a state's presidential primary, or the preference of those attending caucuses or a state convention. There are three types:

• District delegates generally represent a congressional district, and are usually awarded based on how a candidate does in that congressional district.
• At-large delegates are considered to represent the entire state, and are usually awarded based on a candidate's showing statewide.
• PLEO delegates are unique to the Democratic Party, and the name comes from the abbreviation for "party leaders and elected officials." These are typically big city mayors, legislative leaders, county party officials, and the like. Like Democratic at-large delegates, they are awarded proportionally based on a candidate's statewide showing.

UNPLEDGED DELEGATES: These delegates are "free agents" who are not bound by the results of a state's primary or caucuses. They can vote for whomever they like at the national convention. Democrats have a formula for determining the number of unpledged delegates for each state. Their so-called "superdelegates" -- current or former high office holders and Democratic National Committee members -- fall into this category. Republican rules are much less standardized. Some states consider all their delegates unpledged, some have no unpledged delegates at all, and some have a mix.

SOURCE: Associated Press