New York Senate moves 2028 presidential primary to Super Tuesday
New York’s state Senate is poised to pass a bill that would move the state’s 2028 Democratic and Republican presidential primaries to the first Tuesday in March, aligning them with Super Tuesday instead of the later April date used in 2024. Sponsor Sen. James Skoufis says putting the Empire State on Super Tuesday is meant to give its large, diverse electorate a more meaningful voice while the nomination fight is still competitive, rather than serving mainly as a late‑season fundraising stop. The legislation would shift one of the nation’s most delegate‑rich contests into the early, high‑stakes phase of the calendar, forcing future presidential campaigns to plan earlier organizing and ad spending in New York. Supporters argue New York’s mix of urban, suburban and rural voters and its racial demographics mirror the country, bolstering its case for more influence, while the measure still must clear the Assembly and be signed by the governor before it takes effect for 2028.
📌 Key Facts
- The bill would schedule New York’s 2028 presidential primaries for the first Tuesday in March, placing them on Super Tuesday.
- In 2024, New York held its presidential primaries on April 2, nearly a month after the March 5 Super Tuesday date.
- Bill sponsor Sen. James Skoufis argues the move is intended to give New Yorkers a 'meaningful voice' and avoid a 'ceremonial' primary held after the race is largely decided.
📊 Relevant Data
In the 2023-2024 election cycle, New York ranked 5th among states in total individual contributions to federal candidates, PACs, parties, and outside spending groups, with $845,710,792.
How much are states giving to campaigns and committees? — OpenSecrets
New York has 307 Democratic delegate votes and 91 Republican delegates in the 2024 presidential primaries.
New York Democratic Delegation 2024 — The Green Papers
In 2024, both Donald Trump and Joe Biden clinched their respective party nominations on March 12, before New York's primary on April 2.
New York's population is approximately 53% Non-Hispanic White, 15% Black, 19% Hispanic, and 9% Asian, compared to the U.S. overall at 57% Non-Hispanic White, 12% Black, 19% Hispanic, and 6% Asian (based on 2023-2024 estimates).
New York - Data USA — Data USA
New York's population is 87.4% urban and 12.6% rural, compared to the U.S. overall at 83.5% urban and 16.5% rural in 2024.
New York (State, USA) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location — City Population
📊 Analysis & Commentary (2)
"The Politico analysis argues that the undecided, contested 2028 primary calendar — and the DNC’s open process — is a net positive for Democrats because it frees contenders to compete broadly (including in small towns and nontraditional states), reshaping campaign strategy away from the old early‑state playbook."
"The City Journal opinion endorses New York’s plan to move its 2028 presidential primary to Super Tuesday, arguing the change gives the state earlier, meaningful influence, forces campaigns to engage a broader electorate, and reshapes campaign strategy—while acknowledging tradeoffs around cost and compressed voter engagement."
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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