ST. LOUIS • Republicans will gather in each of Missouri's eight congressional districts Saturday to continue the process of choosing delegates to send to the GOP National Convention in July — a normally meaningless routine that this year could have real consequences because of the possibility of a contested convention.

GOP presidential front runner Donald Trump won Missouri's March 15 primary, meaning 37 of the state's 52 delegates will be obligated to vote for him on the first ballot at the national convention.

Usually, that's where it ends. But anti-Trump Republicans continue to hold out hope that the controversial billionaire won't win enough delegates before the convention to secure the nomination. If that happens, a second ballot (or more) is a possibility. At that point, most of the delegates will no longer be bound to the primary winner, and can vote for any candidate they want.

Supporters of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in Missouri and around the country have been working to line up their own people to fill those delegate spots — which will be chosen at gatherings like the ones here Saturday — so they will have friendly votes in place should a second ballot happen.