Here’s what you should know…
In the upcoming first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, all attention is focused on the political landscape. However, notably absent from the Democratic ballot is President Biden, despite his bid for a second term in 2024. This exclusion stems from a contentious dispute between state and national Democrats regarding New Hampshire’s position in the party’s presidential nominating calendar, pitting national efforts to diversify the early voting demographic against state law.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) initiated a calendar reshuffling plan, displacing New Hampshire from its traditional lead and elevating South Carolina’s primary to initiate the voting process. The motive behind this Biden-backed overhaul was to introduce greater diversity by featuring demographically varied states earlier in the schedule, recognizing the influence of states that vote or caucus first.
However, New Hampshire Democrats vehemently opposed this move, asserting that the DNC lacked the authority to alter the state’s long-standing first-in-the-nation primary status. Under the DNC’s plan, New Hampshire was scheduled to hold its primary on February 6, three days after South Carolina’s primary. In defiance of this schedule, New Hampshire adhered to its state law, requiring primaries to be conducted at least seven days before any other state. Consequently, the Granite State Democrats opted for a first-in-the-nation contest on January 23, aligning with the Republican primary and preempting South Carolina’s Democratic contest by approximately two weeks.
President Biden chose not to file for the primary ballot following New Hampshire’s decision to hold the January primary. The decision was justified by compliance with DNC rules, as outlined in a letter from Biden’s campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez. Despite Biden’s absence from the ballot, he remains the Democratic front-runner in New Hampshire and nationally, maintaining a lead over former President Trump in hypothetical matchups.
The conflict extends beyond scheduling, as the DNC disapproves of the January 23 primary, deeming it “detrimental” and urging that it should not influence the delegate selection process. New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella intervened, issuing a cease-and-desist order against the DNC for making allegedly false and misleading statements about the primary’s significance.
In response to Biden’s absence on the ballot, supporters in New Hampshire are organizing a write-in campaign, aiming to secure the President’s victory in the state. This grassroots effort, known as the “Write-In Joe Biden” campaign, emphasizes the importance of showcasing widespread support for Biden on the global stage during the first votes of the 2024 election.