Nevada Democrats won’t get to vote first in their party’s ‘28 presidential primary

A bid by Nevada Democrats to vote first in their party’s 2028 presidential primary fell short Friday when a committee recommended that South Carolina repeat as the first-in-the-nation state instead.

A subcommittee of the Democratic National Committee that sets the party’s election calendar made the selection through a vote. South Carolina received 26 votes, Nevada 19 and New Hampshire four.

The entire DNC needs to affirm its Rules and Bylaws Committee’s picks at its next meeting in August. Nevada Democrats are slated to vote first in the West.

Nevada’s effort to vote first in the nation was led by the Nevada State Democratic Party.

“We’ve been consistent all along, putting Nevada first best sets our party up for success,” party Chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno said in a release. “Nevada is the broad coalition of diverse voices — Latino, Black, AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander), and Native American as well as white working-class voters — our party must win back if we’re serious about flipping the White House in 2028.”

Monroe-Moreno said that Nevada will be an early true test for candidates’ ability to win in the general election.

Under the proposed calendar, South Carolina would vote on Jan. 22, 2028.

Nevada Democrats will follow on Feb. 1 and New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia will vote on subsequent Tuesdays until Super Tuesday, which is scheduled for March 7.

“This has never been about one state or one community,” Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., wrote on X. “It’s about building the coalition that wins 270 electoral votes.”

He added: “Nevada is where candidates demonstrate they can unite the diverse coalition Democrats need to win — not just a primary, but the presidency.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.