Super Tuesday 2024 is witnessing a significant day in the American Presidential race. The event marks the largest single primary day that casts votes from across 16 states and one territory. Two perpetual frontrunners, former President Trump and current President Biden lead the pack but face divided home fronts, with Trump up against former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Biden battling a sporadic protest vote.
While Trump and Biden are widely expected to collate the majority of the delegates, competition on the Republican side is somewhat more palpable. Trump, having entered Super Tuesday with a commendable 247 delegates, seems poised for victory. He faces Nikki Haley who, despite spirited campaigns in key states and a significant ad buy for Super Tuesday, trails behind at 43 delegates. Regardless, her win in Washington D.C. stirs the pot and may signify potential upsets.
Current President Biden runs largely unopposed, with Representative Dean Phillips from Minnesota’s 3rd district posing an unlikely threat. Nonetheless, a Democratic ‘protest vote’ has raised complications for the incumbent President. Voter displeasure stemming from Biden’s pro-Israel policies has led to an unexpected delegate reduction, especially prominent in the Michigan primary.
Super Tuesday results are likely to unfold later than the main event due to differences in time zones and the volume of mailed votes. Official presidential nominations should be determined by mid-March depending on the party. Candidates must accumulate a specific number of delegates for victory, with the Republican nominee needing 1,215 of 2,429 delegates, while the Democratic nominee requires 1,968 out of 3,934 delegates.
The Super Tuesday primary and caucus schedule sees Republican events in states including Alabama, Alaska and Texas, among others. Democratic proceedings are taking place across identical states plus Iowa and the American Samoa territory.
However, Super Tuesday’s lineup of states is subject to changes every election cycle. Historic data reveals that while inclusions fluctuate, Massachusetts and Oklahoma maintain a consistent presence. Conversely, some states have never partaken in a Super Tuesday, including New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Information Box:
Super Tuesday is a modern term dating back to the 1980s that refers to the largest primary day in U.S. Presidential elections. Nikki Haley, who competes for the Republican nomination, has won the Washington D.C. primary. The Democratic candidate, Biden, experiences a protest vote due to discontent over his pro-Israel policies.
Reference 1: FastCompany.com by Shannon Cudd.
Reference 2: Christopher Hickey, CNN.
Reference 3: The Hill by Caroline Vakil.