Super Tuesday

Super Tuesday

Super Tuesday is a significant day in the United States presidential primary election process. It is the day when the greatest number of U.S. states hold primary elections and caucuses. Super Tuesday is crucial because it can provide a clear indication of which candidates are likely to secure their party's nomination for the presidential election.

History

Super Tuesday was first established in 1984 as a way for Southern states to gain more influence in the presidential nomination process. By holding their primaries on the same day, these states hoped to have a greater impact on the selection of the presidential candidates. Over time, more states have joined in, making Super Tuesday a pivotal event in the election cycle.

Significance

Super Tuesday is significant for several reasons:

• Delegate Count: A large number of delegates are at stake on Super Tuesday. Winning a majority of these delegates can give a candidate a substantial lead in the race for the nomination.
• Momentum: Success on Super Tuesday can provide a candidate with momentum, increasing their visibility and viability in the eyes of voters and donors.
• Media Attention: The media closely covers Super Tuesday, providing candidates with a platform to reach a national audience.

States Involved

The states that participate in Super Tuesday can vary from one election cycle to another. However, it typically includes a mix of Southern, Midwestern, and Western states. Some of the states that have participated in recent Super Tuesdays include:

• California
• Texas
• Virginia
• Massachusetts
• North Carolina

Impact on the Election

The results of Super Tuesday can significantly impact the trajectory of the presidential race. Candidates who perform well may solidify their status as frontrunners, while those who perform poorly may face pressure to drop out of the race. The outcomes can also influence the strategies of the remaining candidates, as they adjust their campaigns to focus on upcoming primaries and caucuses.

Criticisms

Super Tuesday has faced criticism for several reasons:

• Frontloading: Critics argue that having so many primaries on one day can lead to "frontloading," where the nomination process is effectively decided early, reducing the influence of later-voting states.
• Resource Strain: The concentration of primaries can strain the resources of candidates, who must campaign in multiple states simultaneously.
• Voter Fatigue: The intense focus on a single day can lead to voter fatigue, as the media and public attention may wane after Super Tuesday.

Also see

• United States presidential primary
• Caucus
• Delegate (United States politics)
• Electoral college (United States)
• Primary election

Basic rotation of U.S. general elections (fixed terms only^[1])

Year	2024	2025	2026	2027	2028
Type	Presidential	Off-year	Midterm	Off-year	Presidential
President	Yes	No			Yes
Senate	Class I (33 seats)	No	Class II (33 seats)	No	Class III (34 seats)
House	All 435 seats[3]	No	All 435 seats[2]	No	All 435 seats[3]
Gubernatorial	11 states, 2 territories DE, IN, MO, MT, NH, NC, ND, UT, VT, WA, WV, AS, PR	2 states NJ, VA	36 states, DC, & 3 territories[4] AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, WI, WY, DC (Mayor), GU, MP, VI	3 states KY, LA, MS	11 states, 2 territories DE, IN, MO, MT, NH, NC, ND, UT, VT, WA, WV, AS, PR
Lieutenant gubernatorial[5]	5 states, 1 territory DE, MO, NC, VT, WA, AS	1 state VA	10 states[6] AL, AR, CA, GA, ID, NV, OK, RI, TX, VT	2 states LA, MS	5 states, 1 territory DE, MO, NC, VT, WA, AS
Secretary of state	7 states MO, MT, NC, OR, VT, WA, WV	None	26 states AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MA, MI, MN, NE, NV, NM, ND, OH, RI, SC, TX, VT, WI, WY	3 states KY, LA, MS	7 states MO, MT, NC, OR, VT, WA, WV
Attorney general	10 states IN, MO, MT, NC, OR, PA, UT, VT, WA, WV	1 state VA	30 states, DC, & 2 territories AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, NE, NV, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, WI, DC, GU, MP	3 states KY, LA, MS	10 states IN, MO, MT, NC, OR, PA, UT, VT, WA, WV
State treasurer[7]	9 states MO, NC, ND, OR, PA, UT, VT, WA, WV	None	23 states AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL (CFO), ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MA, NE, NV, NM, OH, OK, RI, SC, VT, WI, WY	2 states KY, MS	9 states MO, NC, ND, OR, PA, UT, VT, WA, WV
State comptroller/controller	None	None	7 states CA, CT, IL, MD, NV, NY, SC	None	None
State auditor	9 states MT, NC, ND, PA, UT, VT, WA, WV, GU	None	15 states AL, AR, DE, IN, IA, MA, MN, MO, NE, NM, OH, OK, SD, VT, WY	1 state KY	9 states MT, NC, ND, PA, UT, VT, WA, WV, GU
Superintendent of public instruction	4 states MT, NC, ND, WA	1 state WI	8 states AZ, CA, GA, ID, OK, SC, SD (incl. Land), WY	None	4 states MT, NC, ND, WA
Agriculture commissioner	2 states NC, WV	None	6 states AL, FL, GA, IA, ND, SC	2 states KY, MS	2 states NC, WV
Insurance commissioner	3 states NC, ND, WA,	None	5 states DE, CA GA, KS, OK,	2 states LA, MS	3 states NC, ND, WA,
Other commissioners & elected officials	1 state NC (Labor)	None	8 states AZ (Mine Inspector), AR (Land), GA (Land), NM (Land), ND (Tax), OK (Labor), OR (Labor), TX (Land)	None	1 state NC (Labor)
State legislatures[8]	44 states, DC, & 5 territories AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, MN, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, AS, GU, MP, PR, VI	2 states VA, NJ	46 states, DC, & 4 territories AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MN, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, AS, GU, MP, VI	4 states LA, MS, NJ, VA	44 states, DC, & 5 territories AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, MN, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC, AS, GU, MP, PR, VI
State boards of education [9]	8 states, DC, & 3 territories AL, CO, KS, MI, NE, OH, TX, UT, DC, GU, MP, VI	None	8 states, DC, & 3 territories AL, CO, KS, MI, NE, OH, TX, UT, DC, GU, MP, VI	None	8 states, DC, & 3 territories AL, CO, KS, MI, NE, OH, TX, UT, DC, GU, MP, VI
Other state, local, and tribal offices	Varies

¹

This table does not include special elections, which may be held to fill political offices that have become vacant between the regularly scheduled elections.

²

As well as all six non-voting delegates of the U.S. House.

³

As well as five non-voting delegates of the U.S. House. The resident commissioner of Puerto Rico instead serves a four-year term that coincides with the presidential term.

⁴

The governors of New Hampshire and Vermont are each elected to two-year terms. The other 48 state governors and all five territorial governors serve four-year terms.

⁵

In 26 states and 3 territories the lieutenant governor is elected on the same ticket as the governor: AK, CO, CT, FL, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, PA, SC, SD, UT, WI, GU, MP, VI.

⁶

Like the governor, Vermont's other officials are each elected to two-year terms. All other state officers for all other states listed serve four-year terms.

⁷

In some states, the comptroller or controller has the duties equivalent to a treasurer. There are some states with both positions, so both have been included separately.

⁸

This list does not differentiate chambers of each legislature. Forty-nine state legislatures are bicameral; Nebraska is unicameral. Additionally, Washington, DC, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands are unicameral; the other territories are bicameral. All legislatures have varying terms for their members. Many have two-year terms for the lower house and four-year terms for the upper house. Some have all two-year terms and some all four-year terms. Arkansas has a combination of both two- and four-year terms in the same chamber.

⁹

Most states not listed here have a board appointed by the governor and legislature. All boards listed here have members that serve four-year staggered terms, except Colorado, which has six-year terms, and Guam, which has two-year terms. Most are elected statewide, some are elected from districts. Louisiana, Ohio, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands have additional members who are appointed.