The Democratic National Committee's (DNC) Rules and Bylaws Committee voted Friday to designate South Carolina as the first state in the party's 2028 presidential nominating calendar. The recommendation must now be approved by the full DNC at a meeting scheduled for August. This decision maintains the primary order established in 2024, when South Carolina moved ahead of Iowa and New Hampshire.
During the committee deliberations, proponents for South Carolina and Nevada presented arguments for their respective states. Supporters of South Carolina, including former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, stated that the move prioritizes the participation of Black voters, whom they described as a core constituency of the party. Proponents of Nevada's bid focused on the state's growing Latino population and its status as a competitive battleground in general elections.
The 2028 cycle is expected to be the first Democratic primary without an incumbent president or a clear front-runner in nearly 20 years. The order of early-voting states typically influences candidate momentum and fundraising capabilities. While Democrats have adjusted their schedule to include more racially diverse states early in the process, the Republican National Committee is expected to maintain its traditional calendar led by Iowa and New Hampshire.