The first Democratic primaries in the next presidential election are likely to be held in South Carolina, the Democratic National Committee signed Friday, pushing Nevada and New Hampshire primaries to later in the season and giving southern Black voters the chance to shape the race from the outset.
Demeka Kimpson votes at polling location in St. Matthews, South Carolina during the South Carolina Democratic Primary on Feb. 3, 2024.
The decision by the DNC’s rules committee still needs to be approved by the full body later this summer but, on Friday, South Carolina was informally selected as the leader of the 2028 primary season for the Democrats.
South Carolina held the first Democratic presidential primary in 2024, as well, which marked the first time in decades Iowa and New Hampshire were snubbed in opening the party’s nominating process.
Moving South Carolina to the front of the line is a result of the party's push to elevate the electorate of a more diverse state and will allow candidates to appeal to Black voters—which make up a large part of South Carolina's Democratic primary electorate—before competing elsewhere.
