A DNC official told Saturday that twenty state or territory Democratic parties want to petition to have early presidential nomination elections in 2024, as the party examines its nominee selection process.
The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, which is in charge of establishing the party’s nomination process, decided last month to open an application process for states that wish to hold early elections. Diversity, competitiveness, and the possibility of staging an inclusive early contest are among the elements the committee will assess. Four states have staged the first presidential nominating contests in recent cycles: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.
Before Friday’s deadline, the four-state groups joined 16 others in filing letters to the DNC, stating their intention to seek one of the up to five seats for early contests. Iowa, which is mostly White and voted 8 points for then-President Donald Trump in 2020, has a difficult, time-consuming caucus system instead of a state-run primary and is projected to lose its early slot the most.
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Ross Wilburn promoted his state in his letter of intent as a chance for candidates to participate in grassroots campaigning and connect with rural voters who have been drifting away from the party in recent years.
“Potential Democratic nominees must hear the perspectives of rural Democrats and learn directly about the economic, social, and cultural concerns that affect them. Iowans take their civic responsibilities extremely seriously. If we want to safeguard and extend our electoral map as Democrats, presidential candidates must continue to listen to their voices “Wilburn composed.
While Iowa Democrats have no plans to transition from caucuses to a primary, Wilburn said the state party is dedicated to modernizing the process to make it more clear and accessible.
“We also intend to work with a variety of stakeholders across Iowa to look for meaningful improvements to the caucuses that would make them more clear and accessible,” Wilburn added. “It’s critical for us to keep evolving Iowa’s caucuses so that as many people as possible can take part in this cherished tradition,” says the governor.
With Iowa’s standing in doubt and the DNC seeking representation from every region of the country in the early nominating group, many additional Midwestern states, including Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nebraska, are making their presentations to the national party.
“With a mix of urban, suburban, and rural voters, as well as an affordable media market, Nebraska offers candidates a genuine opportunity to break through with grassroots campaigning that expands the party,” Jane Kleeb, the state Democratic Party chair, said in her letter.
Democrats in Georgia and Texas have also declared candidacies. Joe Biden, the current President of the United States, became the first Democrat to win Georgia since 1992 in 2020, while he lost Texas by 6 points.
The diversity of Texas, according to Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa, is a major selling factor.
“In the 2024 election, it will be vital to select states that best reflect our country’s diversity. Texas, with its robust and rising ethnic and industrial variety, provides the competitiveness and inclusion that will be important in energizing people across the country “In a statement, he added.
Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Washington, and Oklahoma, as well as party groups representing Puerto Rico and Democrats living abroad, also filed letters of interest.
The deadline for states to submit official applications in early June. Over the summer, the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee will hear presentations from chosen candidates and choose a group of states. The whole DNC will have to endorse this decision.
