DNC committee poised to select South Carolina to host the first 2028 presidential primary

What This is

• The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee voted to recommend South Carolina as Democrats’ first 2028 primary state, with the full DNC set to decide in August.
• The committee vote was 26 for South Carolina, 19 for Nevada, and 4 for New Hampshire.
• Under the proposed schedule, South Carolina would vote first on Jan. 22, 2028, with Nevada next on Feb. 1 and only a limited number of states allowed to vote before Super Tuesday.
• Supporters say putting South Carolina first reflects the party’s coalition by giving Black voters, a core Democratic bloc, a leading role early in the process.
• Nevada leaders argued their state’s large and growing Latino population and broader diversity make it a better first test for Democrats.
• Some DNC members raised concerns about how quickly Nevada can process and report results, which helped South Carolina’s case.
• New Hampshire officials say state law requires them to hold the first primary and they may do so anyway, risking a clash with the DNC over penalties like fines or not seating delegates.
• The proposal continues Democrats’ move away from the traditional Iowa-and-New Hampshire-led start, keeping Iowa out of the early window and shifting early influence to other states.
• The fight over who goes first has exposed tensions inside the party, including disputes between Black and Latino leaders over representation and influence.

Why This Matters

• Going first can reshape a nomination by giving some candidates early momentum, money, and media attention.
• The choice signals which Democratic voters the party wants to prioritize early, and it highlights friction between Black and Latino leaders over influence.
• A New Hampshire-DNC standoff could confuse voters and campaigns and test how much control the national party has over state-run elections.
• Changing early states also shifts where candidates spend time and organize, which can affect turnout, local issues raised, and who feels heard in the process.