The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws panel has recommended South Carolina to host the party's first presidential nominating contest in 2028, a decision aimed at maintaining the state's key role in the primary calendar and affirming its significance for Black voters.
The panel voted Friday in Washington, D.C., to place South Carolina ahead of Nevada, following intense lobbying from both states and others, including New Hampshire and Iowa, which have historically held early primary or caucus positions.
South Carolina's supporters argued that in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act and ongoing redistricting challenges, the party must reaffirm its commitment to Black voters. Nevada's proponents highlighted its diverse electorate, including Latino, Black, and Asian American and Pacific Islander voters, as an ideal testing ground for White House hopefuls.
Under the panel's proposal, South Carolina would hold its primary on January 22, 2028. Nevada would follow on February 1, with New Hampshire on February 8. Other states granted early voting windows include New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia.
These recommendations will be presented to the full DNC membership for a final vote at the party's summer meeting in Austin, Texas, next month. Minyon Moore, the panel's co-chair, stated that South Carolina "will emerge as the first contest."
For decades, Iowa and New Hampshire held the coveted lead-off positions. However, national Democrats have increasingly viewed these states as unrepresentative of the party's broader demographic base due to their predominantly white populations. Two decades ago, Nevada and South Carolina were added to the early calendar to increase diversity among the initial electorate.
New Hampshire has historically prioritized its first-in-the-nation primary status, citing its tradition of grassroots politics and engaged electorate. In 2024, the state held its primary before South Carolina and Nevada, leading to the DNC banning its delegates from the nominating convention. Although the party later reinstated delegates, the DNC is proposing stricter penalties for states that deviate from the approved calendar in 2028.
DNC Chair Ken Martin expressed confidence that the new calendar will prepare the eventual nominee for the general election by testing them and ensuring broader engagement. However, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley criticized the decision, arguing that insiders had not learned from the previous cycle and that New Hampshire's qualities for testing candidates were overlooked.
Nevada Democratic Party Chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno emphasized the state's role as an early testing ground for a candidate's ability to win a general election.
Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee has indicated its nominating schedule will remain unchanged, with Iowa and New Hampshire retaining their traditional early roles.