DNC Rules Committee Sets South Carolina as First 2028 Democratic Primary State

On Friday, July 24, 2026, the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee voted to recommend South Carolina hold the first presidential nominating contest of the 2028 Democratic primary calendar. Nevada was selected to follow South Carolina, with New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia also designated as early contest states. The vote formalizes a shift away from Iowa and New Hampshire, which had traditionally opened the Democratic nominating process, toward states described by multiple outlets as more racially diverse. Multiple reports noted the change is intended to give Black and Latino voters greater early influence in the nominating process, with South Carolina's substantial Black electorate cited as a key factor in its selection. South Carolina has previously served as an early test of candidates' support among Black voters in the Democratic primary process. The committee's vote is a recommendation from the Rules and Bylaws Committee, described by NBC News as a powerful body within the DNC that shapes the nominating calendar. As of the reporting, the calendar reflects the Rules and Bylaws Committee's recommendation rather than a final, fully ratified sequence; further action by the full DNC would typically be expected to formally adopt the calendar, though the reports provided do not specify a confirmed date for such a vote. The relative order and status of New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia beyond their inclusion as early states was not detailed uniformly across reports, leaving their exact sequence after Nevada unresolved based on available sourcing.