With the kickoff of caucus and primary voting season in February, here are the important dates and details you need to know and watch for. How are delegates awarded in each state? When does voting begin and end? Where can I vote and can I register to vote on the same day of the caucus or primary? How does a precinct caucus work? All these questions and more are answered below.
Here’s what you need to know about participating in the 2020 Democratic Primary for the four early states in February.
Monday, February 3
Iowa Democratic Caucus
Time: Caucuses begin at 7 pm CT and last several hours
Registration: Same-day registration allowed
Where To Vote: Find Your Caucus Location
Delegates: 49 (41 pledged, 8 unpledged)
Allocation: Proportional
Threshold: 15% (A candidate must receive at least 15% to win a delegate)
Other Links: Iowa Vote Registration Check, Iowa Voter Registration
The Iowa Democratic Party has created a website called TheCaucuses.org. This site tells you everything you need to know for participating in the Iowa Democratic caucus. You must be a registered Democrat in Iowa to participate but you can register or change registration on caucus day.
Tuesday, February 11
New Hampshire Democratic Primary
Time: Polls open between 6 am ET and 11 am ET, close at 7 pm ET (varies by location)
Registration: Same-day registration allowed (source)
Where To Vote: Find Your Polling Location
Delegates: 33 (24 pledged, 9 unpledged)
Allocation: Proportional
Threshold: 15% (A candidate must receive at least 15% to win a delegate)
Other Links: New Hampshire Voter Registration Check, How to Register
The New Hampshire Democratic Party has put together a page on their website with more resources for exactly how to register, what you need for registration, and where to find your polling location on voting day.
Saturday, February 22
Nevada Democratic Caucus
Time: Check-in at 10 am PT, caucuses begin at 12 pm PT
Registration: Same-day registration allowed
Where To Vote: Early-Vote Locations, Caucus Day Locations
Delegates: 48 (36 pledged, 12 unpledged)
Allocation: Proportional
Threshold: 15% (A candidate must receive at least 15% to win a delegate)
Other Links: Nevada Voter Registration, Nevada Dems FAQ
The Nevada Democratic Party has set up an early voting period from Saturday, Feb. 15 to Tuesday, Feb. 18. Voters will be able to participate at an early vote location within the county in which they are registered to vote. If a voter does not vote early, they can participate in the process on caucus day. See the Nevada Democratic Party caucus page for details.
Saturday, February 29
South Carolina Democratic Primary
Time: Voting from 6 am ET to 6 pm ET
Registration Deadline: Thursday, January 30, 2020
Where To Vote: Find Your Polling Location
Delegates: 63 (54 pledged, 9 super)
Allocation: Proportional
Threshold: 15% (A candidate must receive at least 15% to win a delegate)
Other Links: South Carolina Voter Registration Check
The South Carolina Democratic Party has created a web page with more information about how to participate in the primary. South Carolina does not offer same-day voter registration as voters must be registered 30 days prior to the election date. This means the deadline to vote in the South Carolina Democratic Primary is Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020.
For more information on the entire 2020 Primary Calendar, visit our primary schedule page to stay informed. These contests in February will be crucial for the trajectory of the race heading into Super Tuesday on March 3, 2020, when many states will vote on the same day.
