# Democratic Party 2028 primary calendar > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/democratic-party-2028-primary-calendar > Updated: 2026-08-17T22:04:17.000Z. Sources: 101. Developments: 6. On July 24, 2026, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee voted 26-19-4 to place South Carolina at the top of the 2028 Democratic presidential primary calendar, moving Iowa off the early-state lineup for the first time in decades. The panel set South Carolina’s primary for Jan. 22, 2028, followed by Nevada (Feb. 1), New Hampshire (Feb. 8), New Mexico (Feb. 15), Michigan (Feb. 22), and Virginia (Feb. 29) before Super Tuesday on March 7. Committee members framed the change as a way to give greater influence to the party’s racially diverse coalition, especially Black voters. Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb noted, “Black voters didn’t just show up for this party in 2020. They saved us,” while South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain called the vote “a commitment to competing in the South.” In August, the DNC met in Austin, Texas, to formally approve the schedule. DNC Chairman Ken Martin described the move as resulting in the “most diverse calendar in the party’s history.” To ensure compliance with the new order, the DNC voted to increase penalties for states that fail to adhere to the approved schedule. Martin emphasized that the new process ensures there will be “no shortcuts” and “no coronation,” stating that the 2028 nominee must earn support across the full breadth of the country. The reshuffle, which sidelines Iowa following President Biden’s poor 2020 performance there, aims to frontload states with more diverse populations to better reflect the party’s national base. While party leaders argue the new order ensures candidates are “battle-tested” by engaging with Black, Latino, and union members, some critics suggest the move may serve to protect the party establishment, noting that South Carolina has historically acted as a “firewall” for establishment candidates against insurgent left-wing campaigns. ## Claims - The 2028 primary calendar begins with South Carolina on January 22, followed by Nevada on February 1. (disputed by 32 sources) - The early voting sequence includes New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia during February 2028. (disputed by 32 sources) - DNC Chair Ken Martin described the new calendar as the most diverse in the party's history. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Iowa has been removed from the early primary lineup. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The DNC voted to increase penalties for states that do not follow the approved primary calendar. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The DNC approved a resolution to abolish ICE unanimously. (single source) - The DNC lifted a ban on using ranked-choice voting for presidential primaries. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: Democratic National Committee approves 2028 presidential primary calendar The Democratic National Committee has approved a 2028 presidential primary calendar that moves South Carolina to the first voting position, ahead of Iowa and New Hampshire. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/democratic-national-committee-approves-2028-presidential-primary-calendar ### 2026-08-15: Democratic National Committee approves new 2028 primary calendar The DNC has approved a new 2028 presidential primary calendar, placing South Carolina first on January 22 and removing Iowa from the early lineup to prioritize diverse electorates. 59 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/democratic-national-committee-proposes-new-2028-primary-calendar ### 2026-08-13: Democratic Party selects South Carolina as first 2028 primary state The Democratic Party has selected South Carolina as the first state to host the 2028 presidential primaries, shifting away from Iowa and New Hampshire to better reflect voter diversity. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/democratic-national-committee-to-finalize-2028-primary-calendar ### 2026-08-02: Democratic Party Sets 2028 Primary Calendar with South Carolina First The U.S. Democratic Party has placed South Carolina first in the 2028 primary calendar, sidelining Nevada and Iowa, prompting internal debate over early‑state strategy and candidate positioning. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/democratic-party-sets-2028-primary-calendar-with-south-carolina-first ### 2026-07-24: South Carolina Chosen to Lead 2028 Democratic Primary Calendar The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted to make South Carolina the first state in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, pushing Iowa out and placing Nevada second, a shift meant to elevate Black voter cl 46 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/democratic-party-to-set-2028-primary-calendar-likely-moving-first-contest-from-iowa ### 2026-07-20: Democratic National Committee to vote on 2028 primary calendar this week The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee may vote this week on the 2028 primary calendar, with final approval set for August; South Carolina seeks to regain its first‑in‑the‑nation status. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/democratic-national-committee-to-vote-on-2028-primary-calendar-this-week --- Cite as: Democratic Party 2028 primary calendar. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/democratic-party-2028-primary-calendar