Biden looks to switch 2024 primary order to give voice to black voters

JOE Biden has proposed changing the 2024 Democrat primary calendar to give states with large black populations a “louder voice” in choosing the party’s candidate for president.

It would mean the end of the focus on Iowa, which is overwhelmingly white, and has been the first state to kick off the process and vote since 1976.

In a letter to the Democratic National Committee rules committee, Mr Biden said the party should prioritise diversity as it selects its presidential nominee.

“For decades, black voters in particular have been the backbone of the Democratic Party but have been pushed to the back of the early primary process,” he wrote.

“We rely on these voters in elections but have not recognised their importance in our nominating calendar. It is time to stop taking these voters for granted, and time to give them a louder and earlier voice in the process.”

South Carolina, where 60 per cent of registered Democrats are black, voted fourth in 2020. It was key to Mr Biden’s victory after he suffered dismal results in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.

Mr Biden’s proposal would put South Carolina first, followed by New Hampshire and Nevada.

Georgia and Michigan would also move into the first five states to vote.

Both of those states also have a high proportion of black voters, and were critical to Mr Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 general election.

Democrat candidates traditionally spend months focusing on Iowa. The state holds caucuses, rather than a primary, which means voters must go to locations like church halls and schools on election day to openly show their support for a candidate.

The changes could be implemented in 2024 but if Mr Biden seeks re-election and is unopposed, would be largely meaningless until 2028.

The Republican National Committee has already decided to keep Iowa as the first contest in its 2024 process.