The Democratic Party is changing the primary calendar for the 2024 presidential election. The major shakeup is backed by President Joe Biden.
Proponents of the new calendar say that it will give African-American voters a more significant role in the selection process. Black voters are the base of the Democratic Party.
They were instrumental in the victories of Barack Obama in 2008, Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Biden in 2020. The move also empowers the Latino vote in the Democratic primary for president.
The Democratic National Committee approved the new configuration on Saturday. There was very little opposition to the change.
It puts South Carolina as the first state to vote on February 3. It will be followed by Nevada and New Hampshire on February 6. Georgia and Michigan will also be voting in the same month on the 13 and 27, respectively.
Critics say now progressive candidates will have a bigger hurdle to face to get the nomination. Others say that the Democratic Party is turning its back on states like Iowa and New Hampshire.
Iowa DNC member Scott Brennan stated: “We are creating a situation of continued uncertainty that will drag on until 2023. We will leave here with absolutely nothing settled.”
Iowa party chair Rita Hart chimed in: “Democrats cannot forget about entire groups of voters in the heart of the Midwest without doing significant damage to the party.”
A DNC member from New Hampshire, Joanne Dowdell, said: “And we are frustrated because as many times as we say it, no one seems to listen when we tell you that this will only hurt President Biden in our purple, battleground state.”
Iowa has not voted Democratic in two election cycles. However, it was the launching pad for the successful bid of Mr. Obama. New Hampshire voted for Biden in 2020.
The current occupant of the White House is expected to launch his re-election campaign in the spring of this year. The new calendar makes things easier for him as he seeks to convince Democrats that he can win a second term.
Democrats are slowly warming up to another Biden run after a stronger-than-expected showing in the midterm elections and a record in office that contains many bright spots. However, his age is still a concern for some in the party.
If he opts not to run in 2024, the calendar also works for Vice President Kamala Harris, who is well-liked in South Carolina.
Democrats are hoping for a quiet primary to focus on the general election against a Republican candidate like former President Donald Trump or Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
