The Democratic National Committee's (DNC) Rules and Bylaws panel has recommended South Carolina to be the first primary state in the 2028 presidential nominating calendar. This decision was made during a meeting in Washington, D.C., where South Carolina was chosen over Nevada, highlighting its significance for Black voters within the Democratic Party. The vote followed extensive lobbying from South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Iowa, all vying for the lead-off position in the primary calendar.
The panel also approved Nevada, New Hampshire, Michigan, Virginia, and New Mexico to conduct primaries in the early voting window, prior to the wider nominating contests that begin ahead of Super Tuesday. According to the proposed schedule, South Carolina's primary is set for January 22, 2028, followed by Nevada on February 1, New Hampshire on February 8, New Mexico on February 15, Michigan on February 22, and Virginia on February 29.
Minyon Moore, co-chair of the panel, stated that South Carolina would be the first contest. Supporters of South Carolina emphasized the need to reaffirm the party's commitment to Black voters in light of recent legal challenges to voting rights. Conversely, advocates for Nevada highlighted the state's diverse electorate as beneficial for Democratic candidates.
New Hampshire has traditionally held the first primary for both parties for a century, but the DNC's decision to prioritize South Carolina has sparked debate. New Hampshire Democrats argue that their state's grassroots political culture and high voter participation make it an ideal location for the first primary.
The DNC's proposals will be subject to a final vote by the entire committee during the party's summer meeting in Austin, Texas. DNC Chair Ken Martin expressed confidence that the new calendar would strengthen the party and better represent American voters. However, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley criticized the decision, asserting that it undermines the state's established political process. Meanwhile, Nevada Democratic Party Chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno emphasized the importance of Nevada in the nomination process as a diverse early voting state. The Republican National Committee has confirmed that its nominating schedule will remain unchanged, with Iowa and New Hampshire retaining their lead-off positions.