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Democrats

DNC Adopts New Early State Presidential Primary Calendar

South Carolina will go first, followed by Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia.

Ken Martin

DNC officials said the revamped early calendar better reflects the party’s diversity, giving Black and Latino voters a greater say in selecting the party’s leader. Joel Angel Juarez/AP

By Alex Roarty

August 15, 2026 02:36 p.m.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Democratic National Committee on Saturday adopted a new early state calendar for the party’s 2028 presidential primary in a significant change that will have major implications for how Democrats pick their next White House nominee.

South Carolina will kick off the Democratic primary for only the second time, followed by Nevada and New Hampshire. New Mexico will be the fourth to hold a primary, marking the first time the state has been among the first in the country to vote.

Michigan and Virginia will round out the calendar as the fifth and sixth contests, respectively. Past primaries had included only four early contests.