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20h ago

DNC Moves South Carolina to Lead 2028 Democratic Primary Calendar

The change is meant to give early influence to Black, Latino and union voters and reshape where candidates must campaign.

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin speaks during a Labor Council meeting as part of the DNC Summer Meeting, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Joel Angel Juarez)
Democratic National Committee member Donna Brazile attends a Black Caucus meeting as part of the DNC Summer Meeting, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Joel Angel Juarez)
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin speaks during the Black Caucus meeting as part of the DNC Summer Meeting, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Joel Angel Juarez)
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Overview

  • The Democratic National Committee is set to finalize the 2028 calendar this weekend, placing South Carolina first on Jan. 22 and Nevada second on Feb. 1 with New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia voting through February.
  • Party leaders say the new order intentionally frontloads more racially and geographically diverse states so Black and Latino voters and organized labor have greater early influence in picking the nominee.
  • New Hampshire and Iowa have publicly objected to being moved back, and New Hampshire law requires its primary to run before other states which creates a likely legal and scheduling clash with the DNC calendar.
  • The DNC has warned it will enforce the calendar with fines, loss of delegates and limits on access to sanctioned debates to deter states or candidates from holding contests out of order.
  • Critics inside the party are also pressing DNC Chair Ken Martin over fundraising and debt levels, a debate that could affect leadership decisions after the November midterms and shape party operations ahead of 2028.