> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://valargroup.gitbook.io/shielded-vote-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://valargroup.gitbook.io/shielded-vote-docs/delegation/partial-delegation.md).

# Partial Delegation

Partial delegation lets you split your voting weight between yourself and one or more delegates.

## Mechanism

When you delegate, you choose how much weight to give the delegate. The VAN split produces:

* A VAN for the delegate with `delegated_amount`
* A VAN for you with `total_note_value - delegated_amount`

Both VANs have the same `allowed_proposals` bitmask — the delegate inherits your proposal authority.

## Example

You have 100 ZEC of voting weight and want to delegate 30 ZEC to a community advocate:

1. Your VAN (100 ZEC) is consumed
2. New VAN for the delegate (30 ZEC) is produced
3. New VAN for you (70 ZEC) is produced

You can then vote directly with your 70 ZEC, while the delegate votes with their 30 ZEC.

## Multiple delegates

You can delegate to multiple parties by performing successive delegations:

* Delegate 30 ZEC to party A (you keep 70)
* Delegate 20 ZEC to party B (you keep 50)
* Vote directly with your remaining 50 ZEC

Each delegation is a separate transaction that consumes your current VAN.

## Privacy

Nobody can observe the delegation amounts. The VAN values are hidden inside the vote commitment tree, and all ZKPs prove correctness without revealing amounts.

## Current status

> Partial delegation follows naturally from the VAN split mechanism but is specified as part of the optional delegation extension (§6.0).