Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Democrats Pick South Carolina First for 2028 Presidential Primary
The Democratic Party has a big contest every four years to choose who will run for president.
This contest happens state by state, and the order of states matters a lot.
On Saturday, the party's leaders met in Texas and decided that South Carolina will go first in 2028.
South Carolina has many African American voters, and the party wants that to be important.
After South Carolina, five other states will have their contests: Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia.
The first state to vote gets lots of attention from the news and from candidates.
That is why some states were upset by this decision.
New Hampshire and Iowa used to go very early, and they feel sad about losing that special spot.
Their leaders think their states are better at testing candidates up close.
The party leaders say the new order is fairer and represents more of America.
Everyone wants their state to go first, but only one state can be the very first.
The Democratic National Committee approved its 2028 presidential primary calendar on Saturday, selecting South Carolina as the first state to vote.
South Carolina's primary is set for January 22, 2028, followed by Nevada (Feb 1), New Hampshire (Feb 8), New Mexico (Feb 15), Michigan (Feb 22) and Virginia (Feb 29).
The DNC said the calendar will allow the party to 'battle-test candidates while maintaining an open, affordable field' and help Democrats retake the White House.
Potential Democratic presidential contenders including Andy Beshear, Mark Kelly and Gavin Newsom have visited South Carolina in recent months.
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley opposed the calendar, citing the loss of traditional early-voting status.
- Who
- The Democratic National Committee (DNC), led by Chair Ken Martin.
- What
- The DNC approved the 2028 presidential primary calendar, naming South Carolina the first-in-the-nation primary state.
- When
- Approved on Saturday during a DNC meeting in Texas; South Carolina's primary is set for January 22, 2028.
- Where
- The calendar was approved at a DNC meeting in Texas; the early primaries will take place in South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia.
- Why
- The DNC says the calendar represents the party's values and will help Democrats retake the White House, while giving candidates an open and affordable field to earn support.
DNC Leadership
Iowa and New Hampshire Party Leaders
Primary Calendar Order
DNC Leadership
South Carolina, with its large African American primary electorate, should be first because the calendar 'truly represents our party and our values' and will help Democrats retake the White House in 2028.
Iowa and New Hampshire Party Leaders
Iowa losing its historic status means no Midwestern state will be in the first four states, and New Hampshire's state law requiring it to vote first is being disregarded; both chairs called the decision 'disappointing.'
Battle-Testing Candidates
DNC Leadership
The calendar allows Democrats to 'battle-test candidates while maintaining an open, affordable field,' and the nominee must earn support across every region and demographic with 'no shortcuts.'
Iowa and New Hampshire Party Leaders
New Hampshire's small, purple state gives candidates a level playing field to meet voters face-to-face and answer tough questions, making it 'uniquely suited' to battle-test candidates.
Competitive Impact
DNC Leadership
Democrats will hold their early contests in six states from late January through the end of February 2028.
Iowa and New Hampshire Party Leaders
Republicans will hold their Iowa primary in 2028 regardless, gaining hundreds of millions in candidate spending and national media attention, with implications for Congress and Sen. Chuck Grassley's seat.
- First 2028 primary state
- South Carolina (January 22, 2028)
- Full early-state order
- South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, Virginia
- DNC decision date
- Saturday at a meeting in Texas
- DNC Chair
- Ken Martin
- Main opponents
- Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley
- 2024 precedent
- Joe Biden persuaded Democrats in 2022 to put South Carolina first in 2024