The Democratic National Committee is expected to vote on Saturday to approve a new order for the 2028 presidential nominating contests, a decision that has generated controversy within the party. The proposed calendar elevates South Carolina to the first position, followed by Nevada, Michigan, and New Hampshire, in an effort to ensure the early states more closely align with the party's demographic coalition.
The recommended calendar, which received a vote from the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee in late July, would set the primary dates as follows: South Carolina on January 22, Nevada on February 1, New Hampshire on February 8, New Mexico on February 15, Michigan on February 22, and Virginia on February 29. This sequence aims to place states with significant Black and Latino voting populations at the forefront of the nominating process.
South Carolina, which held the first official primary in 2024, is positioned first again. This move is seen by some as a crucial overture to Black voters, a key constituency for the Democratic Party. The elevation of Nevada to second place is intended to focus on Latino voters, a demographic group where Democratic support saw a notable decline between the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections.
The proposed calendar also includes battleground states like Michigan and Nevada, which are critical for general election success. Both states were won by President Donald Trump in 2024, after being won by President Joe Biden in 2020.
Beyond demographic considerations, the early state lineup reflects ongoing ideological debates within the Democratic Party. The inclusion of Michigan in the early window, for example, could amplify discussions about the party's candidate strategy, balancing the appeal of moderate candidates in swing states against progressives advocating for change.
New Hampshire officials have expressed strong opposition to the proposed calendar, citing a state law that mandates New Hampshire hold the first-in-the-nation primary. New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley criticized the decision, stating that "many party insiders have learned nothing from 2024." Iowa Democrats have also voiced criticism, though the state party reached a compromise with the DNC on its calendar in 2024.
The DNC has stated that penalties, including fines, loss of delegates, and potential exclusion from DNC-sanctioned debates for candidates who campaign in states out of order, will be used to deter states and candidates from deviating from the approved calendar.
Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee has indicated it may maintain its 2024 calendar, which features Iowa and New Hampshire at the front of its nominating contests.
The DNC's meeting occurs amid ongoing concerns about party leadership and fundraising, though no significant movement to unseat DNC Chair Ken Martin has emerged. Martin and his allies have defended his leadership by pointing to electoral successes since 2020 and increased Democratic enthusiasm.