Democrats are poised to lock in the party’s 2028 presidential nominating schedule, likely cementing a dramatic break from decades of tradition by keeping Iowa off the top of the calendar and elevating more racially diverse states. Either South Carolina or Nevada is expected to go first, and each state has aggressively campaigned for the coveted spot.

Decision Reflects Party’s Effort to Give Greater Influence to Diverse States

The decision by the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee will need to be approved by the full organization, which is scheduled to meet in August. The overhaul reflects Democrats’ effort to give greater influence to states that better mirror the party’s diverse coalition, particularly Black and Latino voters, after years of a calendar led by Iowa and New Hampshire, two states with overwhelmingly white electorates.

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive considered a potential 2028 candidate, said, “I think that it is good that we don’t take the order for granted, and just copy and paste it every cycle.” The decision will also shape the opening stage of what is expected to be a crowded Democratic presidential primary.

South Carolina and Nevada Compete for Top Spot

President Joe Biden successfully pushed to move South Carolina to the front of Democrats’ 2024 calendar after the state revived his struggling 2020 presidential campaign. South Carolina has long been the first Southern contest and has served as a key test of candidates’ support among Black voters. However, Nevada has mounted an equally aggressive campaign, arguing that it better reflects the modern Democratic coalition by combining racial diversity, a strong union presence, and battleground-state status.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.