DNC sets January deadline for states to submit proposals for early calendar lineup 

The Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) Rules and Bylaws Committee set a Jan. 16 deadline for states to submit their proposals to be a part of the early presidential calendar lineup as the party gears up to create their early 2028 calendar. 

States seeking to be one of the first stomping grounds to weigh in on the 2028 Democratic presidential primary will be evaluated on rigorousness, efficiency and fairness. As many as five states may be included as a part of the party’s early presidential calendar. 

“I look at this process [as] one of the many formats for which, for us, as Democrats, to win up and down the ticket, as well as … the top of the ticket, and giving the states this opportunity to articulate how they’re doing things in the various categories presented,” said DNC California member Keith Umemoto. 

Democrats are mulling changes to their early presidential calendar, with a number of states jockeying to be considered in the early window. The party changed its lineup ahead of the 2024 election, putting South Carolina first in a nod to the importance of Black voters for the party and the critical role it played in nominating former President Biden, while knocking Iowa from its first caucus in the nation status. 

Widely floated 2028 contenders like California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) have already started to trek to some traditional early states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.  

One point that Democrats want Republican-governed states to make is how they’ll be able to successfully change their primary date, if considered. That was a clear issue in New Hampshire, which was unable to change its date to conform to the DNC’s 2024 calendar amid resistance from top Republican leaders in the state.

Georgia was also dropped from the early list last year, as it was unable to change its primary date to align with the DNC calendar. 

“I think that one of the things the states who [are] coming before us have to show is, well, can they get the legislature, particularly if it’s a Republican legislature, can they get them to do this? Can they get them to go around?” asked DNC committee member Elaine Kamarck of Virginia. “Otherwise, it’s just a waste of time.”