So how is a delegate bound to Gingrich or Paul supposed to vote on the first ballot if Gingrich/Paul isn’t allowed to be nominated? Can they vote present? Are they automatically unbound at that point and can vote for whoever they want?
Also take note if Gingrich and Santorum’s votes were combined in Illinois, they would have won 18 of the 28 counties that Romney won.
At this article source: "A related question: What happens to bound delegates if their candidate doesn't appear on the ballot? CBS News has contacted the four state Republican parties to explain what would happen to Gingrich and Paul's bound delegates if the candidates are not on the ballot; thus far only Mississippi Republican party has responded.
"[S]hould Gingrich not be on the first ballot, his delegates would be released in the same way that they would if he suspended his campaign," Communications Director Brett Kittredge said in an email." [end text]
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I've heard pressure is placed on them by the state GOP to follow the lead of their "special delegates," usually notable party members -- ie the GOP-e.