The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee voted to designate South Carolina as the first state to vote in the 2028 presidential primary process during a preliminary vote on July 24, 2026. This decision follows a two-day meeting in Washington and is the initial step in the process to finalize the Democratic nominating calendar.
The committee will determine the order of five additional states that will participate in the early nominating schedule before Super Tuesday. The full DNC membership is expected to finalize the primary calendar at its upcoming meeting in Austin, Texas, in August.
The selection of South Carolina was the result of a 10-month process, which included eight public meetings and presentations from 12 states vying for an early voting position. The states considered were Delaware, New Hampshire, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Nevada, and New Mexico.
DNC Chairman Ken Martin emphasized the importance of hearing from all states involved in the process. South Carolina received 26 out of 49 votes, surpassing Nevada, Michigan, and New Hampshire. The decision was influenced by the significant role of Black voters in the Democratic Party, with some members citing their contributions in past elections as a key reason for South Carolina's selection.
Concerns regarding Nevada's voting process were raised during discussions, with some members expressing worries about the timing of vote counting. South Carolina's Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain highlighted the state's efficient voting process, which includes two weeks of early voting.
An amendment to add a sixth state to the early voting lineup was proposed and unanimously agreed upon, with Virginia and New Mexico likely candidates to fill this slot.