The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted Friday, July 24, 2026, to recommend South Carolina as the first state in the 2028 presidential nominating calendar. The decision prioritizes a diverse electorate and Black voters, pushing Nevada and New Hampshire to later slots and removing Iowa from the early window.
The move, passed with 26 out of 49 votes, marks a definitive break from decades of primary tradition. By placing the Palmetto State at the front of the line, the party is shifting its early momentum away from the heavily white electorates of Iowa and New Hampshire toward a coalition that more closely mirrors its national base.
The Battle for the First Primary: South Carolina vs. Nevada
The selection follows a months-long lobbying effort that pitted South Carolina against Nevada. Both states aggressively campaigned for the lead-off spot, with Nevada positioning itself as a critical battleground reflecting the party’s future.
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, the Democratic nominee for governor, argued on X that the party must engage voters where they actually live to avoid losing working-class support. He stated that winning Nevada requires earning Latino voters, Black voters, AANHPI voters, AND white working-class voters — all at once
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However, concerns over Nevada’s ability to process election results quickly—specifically regarding the grace period for late-arriving mail ballots—led some committee members to fear potential chaos at the start of the nominating process. Ultimately, the committee favored South Carolina, with some members arguing that Black Democrats represent the party’s most loyal voting bloc.
Elevating Black Voters Amidst Supreme Court Rulings
The decision was heavily influenced by recent legal shifts. South Carolina’s momentum surged after a Supreme Court decision weakened the Voting Rights Act, which triggered redistricting efforts in several Republican-controlled states. Democratic leaders viewed the calendar change as a necessary response to protect and amplify Black voting power in the South.
Jaime Harrison, a former DNC chair and former chair of South Carolina’s Democratic Party, told the AP that the move signals the value Black voters bring to the party. He described the decision as a strong statement to the most loyal members of the party, asserting that the party must fight for those voters.
This strategic pivot is grounded in data. In the 2024 Democratic primary, 76.5% of South Carolina’s early voters were Black, according to Forbes. Historically, Black voters have consistently made up more than half of the state’s Democratic primary electorate.
The New 2028 Early Window and the Exit of Iowa
The reshuffle officially removes Iowa from the early voting window. Iowa had served as the opening contest for both parties until 2024, when Democrats moved it back following technological failures during the 2020 caucuses. In the 2028 cycle, Michigan bested Iowa for the Midwest’s early spot.
While South Carolina takes the lead, five other states will round out the early window before Super Tuesday.
- Nevada (Second/Third)
- Michigan
- New Mexico
- Virginia
The addition of New Mexico and Virginia to the early window is a first-time occurrence.
Strategic Implications for 2028 Candidates
Because there is no incumbent or clear front-runner, the 2028 primary is expected to be a crowded and open field. The order of these states will dictate early fundraising, media attention, and the political momentum that can make or break a campaign. A first primary in South Carolina provides a distinct advantage to candidates with strong ties to Southern or Black voters.
This mirrors the 2020 cycle, where Joe Biden’s campaign was revitalized by a resounding victory in South Carolina after underwhelming performances in Iowa and New Hampshire. Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb emphasized this impact, stating that Black voters saved the country from Donald Trump in 2020.
While the Democrats move toward a diverse coalition, the Republican National Committee has yet to announce its official 2028 calendar. However, party leaders are widely expected to maintain the traditional sequence, starting with Iowa and New Hampshire.
The current recommendation must still be approved by the full Democratic National Committee during its summer meeting in August. Until then, the party’s shift toward the South remains a preliminary, though heavily signaled, roadmap for the next presidential nomination.
