US Democrats have finalised a significant overhaul of their 2028 presidential primary calendar, keeping South Carolina as the first nominating contest and pushing Iowa from its traditional top spot.
Key facts
- The Democratic Party has finalised changes to its 2028 presidential primary calendar.
- South Carolina will hold the first nominating contest.
- Iowa is being pushed from its long-held top position in the schedule.
The US Democratic Party has finalised a major change to its presidential primary calendar for 2028, according to Al Jazeera. The reshuffle keeps South Carolina at the front of the nominating process, cementing the state’s place as the first contest for Democratic presidential hopefuls.
Under the finalised schedule, South Carolina will again take centre stage as the first nominating contest. The move pushes Iowa from its top spot, marking a continued shift away from the state that has traditionally opened the presidential nominating season.
The change reflects a reordering of which states carry early influence in the process of selecting the party’s presidential nominee. By placing South Carolina first, Democrats are prioritising that state ahead of Iowa in the 2028 cycle.
Iowa’s demotion represents a departure from a long-standing arrangement in which the state held an outsized role in the early stages of the campaign. The finalised calendar confirms that Iowa will no longer occupy that leading position for Democrats.
The primary calendar determines the sequence in which states vote, shaping how candidates allocate time, attention and resources during the earliest phase of a presidential campaign.
Why it matters
The order of primary contests can significantly influence which candidates gain early momentum and media attention in a presidential race. By keeping South Carolina first and moving Iowa down, Democrats are signalling which states they view as most important in shaping the 2028 nomination.
Frequently asked questions
Which state will hold the first Democratic nominating contest in 2028?
According to Al Jazeera, South Carolina will again take centre stage as the first nominating contest in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary calendar.
What is happening to Iowa's position in the primary calendar?
Iowa is being pushed from its top spot, meaning it will no longer be the first state in the Democratic nominating process for 2028.