The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has adopted a new primary schedule for the 2028 presidential election, giving more weight to states with diverse populations. The new schedule moves states like South Carolina, Nevada, and New Mexico to the front of the calendar, while pushing back traditional early voting states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

New Schedule

The new schedule has South Carolina kicking off the nominating contests on January 22, 2028, followed by Nevada on February 1, New Hampshire on February 8, New Mexico on February 15, Michigan on February 22, and Virginia on February 29. This change is intended to allow the party to engage with a more diverse range of voters, including Black and Latino communities.

DNC Chair Ken Martin hailed the new schedule as the most diverse in the party’s history, saying it will help the party’s nominee connect with key parts of the country. The schedule was adopted on a voice vote, with some party officials from Iowa expressing disappointment at being left out of the early lineup.

Reaction

The new schedule has been met with a mix of reactions from party officials and voters. Some have praised the move as a way to increase diversity and representation in the party, while others have expressed concerns about the impact on traditional early voting states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, a Democrat from New Mexico, said the inclusion of her state in the early contests will help the party connect with Latino voters. She noted that New Mexico is a heavily Latino and rural border state, and that the party’s presidential candidates will benefit from engaging with voters there.

The DNC’s decision comes amid a midterm primary election season that has seen Democratic voters swing between progressive insurgents and moderate candidates. The party is looking to build momentum for the 2028 presidential election, and the new schedule is seen as a key part of that effort.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.