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PoliticsDemocrats pick South Carolina to lead 2028 presidential primary calendar
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The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee voted on July 24, 2026, to make South Carolina the first presidential primary state for the 2028 election cycle, marking a major shift from past schedules. South Carolina edged out Nevada, partly due to concerns about Nevada's ability to process election results quickly. Democrats also cited a desire to strengthen Black voting power in the South after the Supreme Court significantly restricted the Voting Rights Act earlier in 2026, triggering redistricting efforts. Michigan beat Iowa to become the Midwest's early state, ending Iowa's decades-long lead role. New Hampshire, traditionally second in the calendar, finished a distant third in the vote for first primary state.
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The state edged Nevada to be first, marking a major shift from past primary schedules
By Aaron Pellish Published: 07/24/2026 01:26 PM EDT
Democrats voted to make South Carolina their first presidential primary state for 2028 — a significant shift from past election cycles, and one that prioritizes a state with a significant Black voting bloc.
The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted Friday to make the Palmetto State the first contest in the 2028 primary calendar.
The decision to choose South Carolina over Nevada, another historic early state in contention for first place, came down in part to concerns about Nevada’s ability to process election results quickly. Democrats said they were also looking to strengthen Black voting power in the South after the Supreme Court significantly restricted the Voting Rights Act earlier this year, which triggered redistricting efforts.
Michigan bested Iowa in the vote to be the Midwest’s early state, meaning Iowa will not be an early state in 2028 after leading the calendar for decades through 2020. New Hampshire, which has gone second on the nominating calendar in most past cycles, finished a distant third in voting to be Democrats’ first primary state.
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PoliticsWestern
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Democrats pick South Carolina to lead 2028 primary calendar