DNC Committee Weighs 2028 Presidential Primary Calendar Order

The Democratic National Committee Rules and Bylaws Committee may hold a preliminary vote as early as Friday, July 25, 2026, in Washington to determine the voting order for the 2028 presidential primary calendar. The committee has reviewed presentations from 12 states seeking to host the first contests, including Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.

South Carolina Democratic leaders are lobbying to maintain the state's first-in-the-nation status. They argue that the state's racial diversity provides a better initial playing field for candidates to build winning coalitions compared to traditional early states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

While the committee may reach a preliminary determination this week, the primary calendar will not be finalized until the full Democratic National Committee meets for its scheduled meeting in August.