Final answer:
The Democratic Party reformed its delegate selection process after the 1968 convention, leading to the 1992 DNC rules that empowered voters through primaries and caucuses, reducing the influence of party elites and ensuring that the party's nominee would reflect the electorate's choice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Changes to DNC Rules in 1992
After the volatile 1968 Democratic National Convention, the Democratic Party sought to reform its delegate selection process to prevent a repeat of the disorganization and controversy that had marred the Chicago event.
The changes intended to democratize the process, ensuring that the selection of delegates was more reflective of the voters' will. The McGovern-Fraser Commission established a new set of rules that required states to select delegates through primary elections and caucuses rather than behind closed doors by party elites.
This shift gave more power to individual voters and reduced the influence of party bosses and insiders.
In consequence of these rules, by the time of the 1992 campaign, a candidate who did not win any primaries would be unable to secure the nomination—contrasting with past conventions where candidates could win the nomination without primary victories.
This reform directly influenced the outcome of the 1992 Democratic primaries, where Bill Clinton emerged as the nominee, going on to win the presidency. The retooled process was designed to increase voter participation and ensure that the nominee represented the base of the Democratic electorate.