Topline
A key Democratic Party board voted Wednesday to support putting South Carolina’s primary at the start of the 2024 presidential primary calendar, replacing Iowa’s long-standing first-in-the-nation role following calls for a more diverse state to kick off the presidential nomination process.
Maria Grant casts her in-person absentee ballot at the Charleston County Public Library on October … [+]
Key Facts
The Democratic National Committee’s rules panel voted to hold South Carolina’s 2024 primary on February 3, followed by both Nevada and New Hampshire on February 6, Georgia on February 13 and then Michigan on February 27, ahead of Super Tuesday.
The Iowa caucuses had led the Democratic calendar since 1972, but critics say the state—which is more than 90% white—doesn’t properly reflect the party’s diverse national electorate.
President Joe Biden threw his support behind South Carolina on Thursday, telling the Rules and Bylaws Committee in a letter, “We must ensure that voters of color have a voice in choosing our nominee much earlier in the process.”
The calendar change still needs the approval of the full DNC, which will hold a meeting early next year.
Contra
Republicans appear intent on keeping Iowa at the start of their calendar. Former President Donald Trump slammed the Democratic vote in a statement Friday, saying the party is “turning their backs on the good, hard-working people of Iowa who deserve to have their voices heard.”
What To Watch For
The change sets up a potentially awkward and confusing clash between the DNC and state party officials in Iowa, since the state has rules requiring it to have the first contest. It’s possible Iowa could choose to ignore the Democratic calendar and set a date of their own, but the party could respond by penalizing candidates who campaign there rather than the agreed upon early states.
Key Background
A political firestorm erupted in Iowa in 2020 when a series of computer glitches left it unclear on election night which Democratic candidate won the contest, prompting further scrutiny over why Iowa should hold first-in-the-nation status to begin with. Holding caucuses to start the calendar—which require votes to be taken in public during what can be a long, confusing process—has also been sharply criticized. Biden in his letter Thursday called for the party to abolish caucuses entirely.
Crucial Quote
“Too often over the past fifty years, candidates have dropped out or had their candidacies marginalized by the press and pundits because of poor performances in small states early in the process before voters of color cast a vote,” Biden said in his letter.
Further Reading
Democrats Move a Step Closer to Making South Carolina First Primary (New York Times)
Democrats Reportedly Eye Bumping Iowa From Start Of Primary Calendar (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/12/02/democrats-take-step-to-make-south-carolina-first-primary-contest-replacing-iowa/