Participation in Rhode Island's delegate selection process is open to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats. Registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters may participate in the primary election. Unaffiliated voters become affiliated with the Democratic Party by voting in the Democratic Primary.

Tuesday 24 April 2012: 32 of 40 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are pledged to presidential contenders based on the results of the voting in today's Rhode Island Presidential Primary. A mandatory 15 percent threshold is required in order for a presidential contender to be pledged National Convention delegates at either the congressional district or statewide level. National Convention District delegates appear on the ballot in each Congressional District.

• 22 district delegates are to be pledged proportionally to presidential contenders based on the primary results in each of the State's 2 congressional districts.
• CD 1: 11
• CD 2: 11
• In addition, 10 delegates are to be pledged to presidential contenders based on the primary vote statewide.
  • 7 at-large National Convention delegates
  • 3 Pledged PLEOs

Thursday 21 June 2012: Rhode Island State Convention.

National Convention District, Pledged PLEO and At-Large delegates are elected by the Rhode Island Democratic State Committee according to the results of the primary.

The remaining 8 National Convention delegates consist of

• 8 Unpledged PLEO delegates:
• 4 Democratic National Committee members.
• 4 Members of Congress (2 Senators and 2 Representatives).
• 0 Governors.
• 0 Distinguished Party Leaders.

These 8 delegates and will go to the Democratic National Convention officially "Unpledged".

Notes:

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Davenport "Linc" Chafee (Independent) signed Senate Bill 399 on 1 July 2011 and House Bill 5653 on 12 July 2011. Both bills move the Presidential primary from the 1st Tuesday in March (6 March 2012) to the 4th Tuesday in April (24 April 2012).