Biden reportedly asks Democrats to make South Carolina 1st voting state in 2024 primaries, demoting Iowa
![Joe Biden](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4bMagtv6WswVwxL5s8Lg7U-415-80.jpg)
President Biden has asked the Democratic National Committee to put South Carolina first on the 2024 primary calendar, followed by New Hampshire and Nevada, Georgia, and Michigan, DNC members learned at a private dinner on Thursday, according multiple news organizations. The Democrats have been discussing shaking up the primary schedule for months, but elevating South Carolina to pole position and putting Georgia in the first five states "came as a shock to party officials and state leaders," The Washington Post reports.
Biden explained in a letter to DNC members Thursday that the Democratic Party "must ensure that voters of color have a voice in choosing our nominee much earlier in the process and throughout the entire early window." Any successful Democratic nominee must "have overwhelming support from voters of color," he said, and also win over "working class Americans" and "union households."
Biden specifically proposed that South Carolina — widely credited with saving his presidential bid in 2020 — hold its Democratic primary on Feb. 6, New Hampshire and Nevada follow on Feb. 13, Georgia vote on Feb. 20, and Michigan round out the early states on Feb. 27, Politico reports. Iowa, the largely White state whose caucus has led off the Democratic primary calendar since 1976, "would have no early role in the Biden plan," the Post notes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Iowa didn't help its cause by badly bungling its 2020 caucus, but Biden proposed in his letter that "our party should no longer allow caucuses as part of our nominating process" regardless, calling them "restrictive" and "anti-worker."
South Carolina Democrats were ecstatic with Biden's plan, Iowa Democrats were disappointed, and New Hampshire — which traditionally votes second but by state law holds the first primary — was livid. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) called Biden's plan "tremendously disappointing," Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) deemed it "deeply misguided," and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said "the DNC did not give New Hampshire the first-in-the-nation primary and it is not theirs to take away."
Nevertheless, the DNC is expected to ratify Biden's preferred calendar next year. It's not clear how that will work with the Republican primaries, which will follow the traditional Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada order, the Republican National Committee affirmed last spring.
Whatever happens in 2024, Biden urged the DNC to "review the calendar every four years, to ensure that it continues to reflect the values and diversity of our party and our country."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The US presidents who decided not to run for a second term
The Explainer Joe Biden's decision to end his re-election campaign was shocking, but there's a long history of presidents who've bowed out on a chance at four more years
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What has Kamala Harris done as vice president?
In Depth It's not uncommon for the second-in-command to struggle to prove themselves in a role largely defined by behind-the-scenes work
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'Spare us the charade'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
How Biden's enablers may have delayed his bowing out
Talking Points Joe Biden's inner circle faces calls for a reckoning for allegedly shielding the president — and the public — from questions of aging and electoral viability
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden ends reelection bid, endorses Harris
Speed Read The sitting president gave his VP full support to replace him atop the Democratic ticket
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Can Kamala Harris beat Trump?
Today's Big Question Some senior Democrats are unsure the vice-president can win in November even as party closes ranks behind her
By The Week UK Published
-
Pelosi and Obama add to doubts over Biden
Speed Read Both Democrats think the president should reconsider his reelection campaign, insiders say
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published