Super Tuesday, which falls on March 5, is a crucial day in the presidential primary season where the largest number of states hold primaries or caucuses. More than a third of the available delegates for both the Republican and Democratic nominations are up for grabs on Super Tuesday. President Biden is currently the leading contender for the Democratic nomination, while former President Donald Trump is leading the Republican nomination race against former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Trump faces disqualification from the primary ballot in two Super Tuesday states, Colorado and Maine, due to his involvement in insurrection related to the post-2020 election period.
Registered voters in the states participating in Super Tuesday will go to the polls and vote for their preferred candidates on March 5. A total of 15 states are holding GOP contests, with primaries taking place in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia, while Alaska and Utah will hold caucuses. Eleven of these states have GOP primaries that are open to more than just registered Republicans. Former President Trump has won every GOP presidential nominating contest leading up to Super Tuesday this year, continuing his dominance in the race.
Super Tuesday is named as such because it is the day with the highest number of delegates at stake during the primary campaign. A total of 865 Republican delegates will be allocated on this day, with the winner needing to collect 1,215 delegates. On the Democratic side, 1,420 delegates will be allocated on Super Tuesday, with 1,968 delegates needed to secure the nomination. The campaign will continue even after Super Tuesday, with the remaining states holding primaries over the next few months until the final primaries on June 4.
While Super Tuesday is not a holiday, some of the participating states have offered mail or early voting options to make it more convenient for voters to participate in the primaries. The outcome of Super Tuesday will play a significant role in shaping the trajectory of the presidential nomination races for both parties. President Biden faces concerns about his age, handling of international conflicts, and voter apathy, while former President Trump continues to face legal challenges and controversies as he vies for the Republican nomination. The results of Super Tuesday will provide crucial insights into the candidates’ standings and potential paths to securing their respective party nominations.
