The 2028 Democratic presidential primary will determine the Democratic nominee for the November 2028 presidential election. Candidates will compete in state primaries and caucuses to win delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
The Democratic National Committee approved a six-state early-primary calendar beginning with South Carolina on January 22, 2028, followed by Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia. Follow the latest Democratic candidates, national polling averages and primary schedule below.
Latest 2028 Democratic Primary Polls
Early national surveys offer a look at potential support among Democratic voters, although many people included in polls have not formally entered the race. Election Central calculates independent averages using the latest eligible surveys from distinct polling organizations.
Independent 60-day average · 7 distinct pollsters
- 1. Kamala Harris 23.9%
- 2. Gavin Newsom 14.9%
- 3. Pete Buttigieg 11.1%
Harris leads by 9.0 points.
Equal weight per pollster; each contributes its latest eligible survey. Polling does not establish candidacy.
2028 Democratic Presidential Candidates
The potential Democratic field includes current and former elected officials and other political figures being discussed as possible nominees. The directory below tracks published candidate profiles and distinguishes announced candidates from those exploring or merely considered potential contenders.
Candidate inclusion and display order are editorial, not a polling ranking or confirmation of candidacy.
Appearing in a presidential poll does not mean someone has declared a campaign. Candidate statuses are updated as public announcements and decisions become available.
2028 Democratic Primary Schedule
DNC-approved early-state calendar; individual dates remain subject to state implementation.
DNC-approved early-state order; dates subject to state implementation
- South Carolina — Jan 22, 2028(Party-approved)
- Nevada — Feb 1, 2028(Party-approved)
- New Hampshire — Feb 8, 2028(Party-approved)
- New Mexico — Feb 15, 2028(Party-approved)
- Michigan — Feb 22, 2028(Party-approved)
- Virginia — Feb 29, 2028(Party-approved)
Super Tuesday: Tuesday, March 7, 2028 (Projected). The final state lineup may change.
The Democratic National Committee approved its six-state early calendar in August 2026. South Carolina is scheduled to begin the party’s nomination process on January 22, followed by five additional early contests through February 29. Individual dates and procedures remain subject to applicable state election laws and party arrangements.
After the early states, Democratic presidential primaries and caucuses will continue across the country through the spring. Explore the complete 2028 presidential primary schedule for state-by-state dates, projected contests and participation rules.
How the Democratic Nomination Process Works
Democratic presidential candidates compete for pledged delegates who help select the party’s nominee at the Democratic National Convention. Delegates are awarded through state primaries, caucuses and other party-approved nomination procedures.
Primaries vs. Caucuses
A presidential primary generally allows eligible voters to cast ballots for their preferred candidate. A caucus is organized by a political party and may involve meetings, ballots or other delegate-selection procedures.
Participation requirements vary by state. Some primaries allow unaffiliated voters to participate, while others impose party-registration requirements. The DNC’s approved calendar also does not automatically override state election laws, making the distinction between party approval and state implementation important.
How Democratic Delegates Are Awarded
Democratic pledged delegates are generally allocated proportionally among candidates who meet the party’s qualifying thresholds. Delegate allocation considers results in congressional districts and at the statewide level under the applicable rules.
Democratic conventions also include automatic delegates, often called superdelegates, whose voting rights are governed by national party rules. Verified 2028 delegate counts, allocation details and convention procedures will be added as official information becomes available.
2028 Democratic Primary FAQ
Who is leading the 2028 Democratic presidential primary polls?
The polling snapshot above displays the three leading candidates in Election Central’s current independent 60-day Democratic primary average. Rankings may change as new surveys are published. View the full Democratic polling data and trends.
When is the first 2028 Democratic presidential primary?
South Carolina is first on the DNC-approved calendar, with a scheduled date of January 22, 2028. Nevada follows on February 1, with New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia completing the approved early-state window. Individual contests may still require state or party action.
Who is running for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination?
Potential candidates are being discussed and included in early polling, but a polling appearance is not an official campaign announcement. Our 2028 presidential candidates directory distinguishes announced, exploring and potential candidates.
When is Super Tuesday in 2028?
Super Tuesday is projected for March 7, 2028, when numerous states are expected to hold presidential nominating contests. The final Democratic contest lineup remains subject to state and party scheduling decisions.
How many delegates does a Democratic candidate need to win?
A Democratic presidential candidate must secure the required majority of convention delegate votes under the applicable party rules. The exact 2028 delegate threshold will depend on finalized delegate allocations and convention procedures.
Election Central updates candidate information, polling averages and primary calendar details as new data and official announcements become available. Party-approved and projected dates should not be interpreted as finalized state election announcements.