2028 presidential primary calendar
The official 2028 primary schedule is not set yet - both parties finalize their calendars during 2027. Based on every recent cycle, the primaries run from January to June of the election year: a few early states first, then Super Tuesday in early March, then the rest. Here is how the 2028 nominating season will take shape, and what is and is not decided.
How the 2028 primary calendar unfolds
- Through 2027Calendars set and campaigns launch
The Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee finalize their 2028 primary calendars and delegate rules during 2027, including which states vote first. Most candidates formally launch their campaigns in this window.
- January - February 2028The early states vote firstEarly states
A small group of traditional early states votes first, getting outsized attention. Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina have led recent cycles. In 2024 the Democrats moved South Carolina to first while the Republicans began in Iowa; the 2028 first-in-the-nation order is not yet finalized.
- Early March 2028Super Tuesday
The single biggest day of the calendar, when more than a dozen states vote at once - in recent cycles including delegate-rich California and Texas. A strong Super Tuesday often effectively decides a party's nominee. The exact 2028 date is not set.
- March - June 2028The rest of the states vote
The remaining states and territories hold their primaries and caucuses through the spring, with candidates accumulating delegates until one clinches a majority.
- Summer 2028National conventions
The Republican and Democratic national conventions formally nominate each party's presidential ticket. Host cities and exact 2028 convention dates have not been announced.
- November 7, 2028Election Day
Voters choose between the two nominees (and any third-party or independent candidates). A candidate needs 270 of 538 electoral votes to win.
Phases reflect the calendar's recent historical pattern. Specific 2028 dates and the first-in-the-nation order are set by the parties in 2027 and are not yet final.
The traditional early states
These states have historically voted first, giving them outsized influence. The 2028 order is not finalized - explore each state's primary:
How the calendar is set
Each party's national committee writes the rules. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Republican National Committee (RNC) decide which states vote first and how delegates are awarded; states then schedule their contests within those rules. The two parties can - and in 2024 did - run different early-state orders.
See the full process on the 2028 primaries hub, or the Democratic and Republican primaries.
What is and is not decided for 2028
Decided: the general structure (early states, then Super Tuesday, then the rest, then summer conventions) and that Election Day is November 7, 2028.
Not yet decided: the exact 2028 primary and caucus dates, which state votes first, the Super Tuesday lineup, and the convention host cities and dates. We will fill those in as the parties confirm them.
Related: when is the 2028 election, when are the 2028 primaries, Super Tuesday 2028.