DNC Finalizes 2028 Democratic Primary Calendar, South Carolina to Vote First

The Democratic National Committee met in Austin, Texas, during the week of Aug. 13-15, 2026, to give final approval to the party's 2028 presidential primary calendar. Party members voted to set South Carolina as the first nominating contest, scheduled for Jan. 22, 2028, displacing Iowa from its traditional leadoff position. DNC chair Ken Martin represented the committee during the process, which set the stage for what multiple outlets described as a wide-open race to succeed President Donald Trump. Under the approved calendar, South Carolina votes first on Jan. 22, 2028, followed by Nevada on Feb. 1. New Hampshire, long known as the first-in-the-nation primary, was placed third. New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia round out the six-state early window of contests designed to winnow the candidate field before broader voting begins. Reports describe the new order as intended to give Black and Latino voters, along with union members, an earlier voice in the nominating process than in previous cycles, which had opened with Iowa. The calendar is now finalized following the DNC vote, with no further procedural steps reported for its adoption. It remains unresolved how individual 2028 candidates or state parties may respond to the reordering, and reporting does not specify the exact dates for New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan or Virginia contests beyond their sequence. The broader political dynamics of the still-forming 2028 Democratic field, including the balance between progressive and moderate candidates, remain undetermined at this stage.