A Democratic Party panel on Friday finalized a proposal establishing the early voting order for the 2028 presidential primary season, beginning with South Carolina, followed by Nevada, New Hampshire, and New Mexico. This schedule is designed to shape the party’s strategy in the race to reclaim the White House.

South Carolina, which also hosted the first Democratic primary in 2024, was selected to go first once again. The decision underscores the state’s significant Black voter population, a key constituency for Democratic candidates. Nevada, chosen to hold the second primary, and New Mexico, scheduled fourth, were included in part to enhance the influence of Latino voters, a demographic that showed growing sway in recent elections, including gains by former President Donald Trump in 2024.

Following those contests, Michigan and Virginia are slated to conduct the fifth and sixth primaries. Michigan, identified as a presidential battleground alongside Nevada, is seen by party leaders as a critical state where strong primary engagement could translate into general election success.

The timeline, set by a 49-member Democratic Committee panel, is expected to receive formal approval at the upcoming Democratic National Committee meeting in Austin, Texas, next month. The proposed sequence highlights a strategic emphasis on states with diverse electorates and battleground status, reflecting the party’s focus on coalition-building and voter outreach heading into the 2028 election cycle.