Kathmandu— The Democratic National Committee (DNC) voted on Saturday to overhaul its presidential primary calendar for 2028, placing South Carolina first in the nation on January 22nd. This decision prioritizes states with more diverse populations – Nevada and New Hampshire will follow on February 1st and 8th respectively – and aims to better reflect the party’s key constituencies while potentially reshaping the dynamics of future presidential nominations. The move formalizes a change begun in 2024, when South Carolina was also given early prominence, but has faced resistance from states traditionally holding the first contests.

Calendar Shakeup Prioritizes Diversity

The new calendar gives greater influence to states with more racial and ethnic diversity, a deliberate effort by the DNC to better represent its voter base. South Carolina, which boasts a significant Black population – roughly 25 percent according to census estimates – will once again lead off the primary season. Nevada and New Mexico, with large Latino/Hispanic populations of 31 and 49 percent respectively, also feature prominently in the early contest lineup. DNC Chairman Ken Martin touted the changes on social media, stating that these states “reflect the diversity of America and will help ensure our nominee is best positioned to take back the White House in 2028.”

Iowa and New Hampshire Face Reduced Influence

The decision marks a significant departure from tradition, as Iowa had held the first-in-the-nation caucus for decades, and New Hampshire traditionally hosted the first primary. Both states have overwhelmingly white electorates, leading critics to argue they wielded disproportionate influence in shaping presidential elections. Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, who served as DNC chair from 2005 to 2009, explained that the new states “look more like the country,” contrasting them with Iowa and New Hampshire. However, both Iowa and New Hampshire pushed back against the changes; New Hampshire officials defied party leaders in 2024 by holding a state-run primary ahead of South Carolina, citing a state law requiring it to be first.

Potential Impact on Party Dynamics

The revised calendar could have implications for the balance of power within the Democratic party. While Michigan, another early state, recently selected progressive Abdul El-Sayed as its Senate nominee – suggesting potential gains for progressives – other states given prominence, like South Carolina, have historically favored more moderate candidates. Boyd Brown, a former DNC member from South Carolina, noted that “primary voters up north are probably a little different than primary voters in South Carolina,” hinting at potentially differing outcomes across the early states. The calendar changes may therefore affect the ongoing intra-party feud between progressive and establishment wings of the party.

2028 Primary Schedule

The full list of states and their respective primary dates is as follows: South Carolina (January 22, 2028), Nevada (February 1, 2028), New Hampshire (February 8, 2028), New Mexico (February 15, 2028), Michigan (February 22, 2028), and Virginia (February 29, 2028).

The DNC’s decision is expected to reshape the landscape of future Democratic presidential primaries, though the extent of its impact on party dynamics and electoral outcomes remains to be seen.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.