The Democratic Party is set to reshape its 2028 presidential primary calendar, with a proposed schedule that prioritizes early contests in states featuring significant Black and Latino populations and organized labor. The Democratic National Committee is scheduled to approve the calendar on Saturday at a meeting in Texas.
Under the proposed calendar, South Carolina would hold the first primary on Jan. 22, followed by Nevada on Feb. 1. New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia would round out the early states throughout February. This marks a significant departure from recent cycles, which have historically begun with Iowa and New Hampshire.
DNC Chairman Ken Martin, a proponent of the calendar change, stated that the new schedule reflects the diversity of the Democratic Party and aims to create a more representative selection process. "It shouldn’t surprise anyone as a result of it being the largest and most diverse committee that we got the most diverse calendar in our party’s history," Martin said this week.
Party strategists believe this shift will better prepare candidates for a general election. "They have to show that they can go to the South and talk to Black voters and rural voters, as well as out west, talking ranching and mining issues, to a border state, to union members," said party strategist Karen Finney. "Whoever survives will be battle tested."
Historical precedent supports the focus on these states. Barack Obama in 2008, Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Joe Biden in 2020 all saw their nominations solidified by strong performance in South Carolina, largely due to its significant Black voting population, which often comprises more than half of the state's Democratic primary electorate.
With Nevada and New Mexico following South Carolina, candidates will likely need to engage Latino voters early in the process. Former presidential candidate Howard Dean, who previously served as national party chairman, noted that the new early states "look more like the country" as a whole, compared to the predominantly white electorates of Iowa and New Hampshire.
While some express concerns about ideological differences between northern and southern primary voters, others argue that Black voters in the South, while often realistic about policy possibilities, hold progressive views on many issues. "Southern Black voters are more progressive than they’re given credit for," said Nina Smith, a former adviser to Pete Buttigieg. "Living through Jim Crow and other oppressive structures will force you to take that approach."
The revised calendar also incorporates states with strong union presences. Nevada is home to service industry unions due to Las Vegas, Michigan has a significant auto industry and related manufacturing sectors, and Virginia has a large federal worker population. Organized labor plays a crucial role not only in mobilizing voters but also in helping campaigns disseminate their message.
The expanded calendar is also expected to offer more logistical and fundraising advantages. A swing through Nevada and New Mexico could include fundraising stops in California, while a trip to South Carolina could extend to Atlanta and Charlotte. Virginia's proximity to Washington, D.C., offers access to donors and media markets.
Bre Maxwell, a DNC member from South Carolina, highlighted the financial benefits for candidates, noting that the state's size and lower media costs can level the playing field, allowing campaigns of all sizes to have an impact.
Furthermore, five of the six early states—New Hampshire, Nevada, Michigan, and Virginia—are considered competitive general election states. This means that Democratic candidates will invest significant time and resources in these battlegrounds, which hold a combined 43 Electoral College votes, well before Super Tuesday.