Dems reshuffle primaries to stress diversity over tradition

FILE - The Democratic National Committee Rules and Bylaws Committee discuss proposed changes to the primary system during a meeting at the Omni Shoreham Hotel on Dec. 2, 2022, in Washington. The DNC’s rulemaking arm voted on a revamped schedule for early votes for the 2024 presidential primary: first South Carolina, followed by New Hampshire and Nevada on the same day, then Georgia and finally Michigan. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard, File)

PHILADELPHIA — The Democratic Party approved reordering its 2024 presidential primary, replacing Iowa with South Carolina in the leadoff spot as part of a major shake-up meant to empower black and other minority voters critical to its base of support. 

The formal endorsement by the Democratic National Committee during its meeting in Philadelphia is an acknowledgement that the start of the 2024 primary will look very different from the one in 2020.  

The new plan was championed by President Joe Biden, who is expected to formally announce his reelection campaign in the coming months. The reconfiguring would have South Carolina hold its primary on Feb. 3, followed three days later by New Hampshire and Nevada. 

Georgia would vote fourth on Feb. 13, followed by Michigan on Feb. 27, with much of the rest of the nation set to vote on Super Tuesday in early March.