On July 24, the Democratic Party’s Rules & Bylaws Committee issued its hopes for the 2028 presidential primary schedule. The most drastic change was for New Mexico, which has always held presidential primaries in June. The party recommended that New Mexico hold its 2028 presidential primary on February 15. The Democratic Party controls state government in New Mexico, so it is likely the legislature in 2027 will pass a bill to implement that much earlier primary date. It is unclear if the legislature would leave the primary for non-presidential office in June.

The Committee also recommended that South Carolina hold its primary before any other Democratic primary, and to hold it on January 22. In 2024 South Carolina’s Democratic presidential primary was February 3.

The Committee wants Nevada second, and New Hampshire third, but the party doesn’t have enough legislature support in New Hampshire to amend the state law that says the New Hampshire primary must always be the earliest presidential primary. The Democratic Party wants New Mexico fourth, Michigan fifth, and Virginia sixth. Those six states would be the only ones with primaries earlier than March.